San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio suggested a month ago that NaVorro Bowman will be as the All-Pro linebacker recovers from surgery to repair a sustained during the .
The team made it official on Monday, placing Bowman on the physically unable to perform list. The Niners also placed running back Marcus Lattimore (knee) on the non-football injury list.
The earliest the two can return is in a Sunday Night Football matchup at Denver. The 49ers have a the following week, in case they have any reservations about Bowman's game condition.
Prior to the injury, Bowman was Around The NFL's choice for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. One of the league's surest tacklers and fastest linebackers, Bowman produced dominant performances when fellow All-Pros Patrick Willis and Aldon Smith missed time early in the season.
With Bowman out of the lineup, Michael Wilhoite and rookie Chris Borland are competing for the starting job next to Willis. Thus far, the battle has been .
Lattimore's late-season return will be gravy for a backfield that will rely heavily upon rookie Carlos Hyde to complement starter Frank Gore.
Bowman's late-season return could end up saving a defense that will .
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