SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman hasn't played a snap of football since Oct. 2. That day, he suffered Khalil Mack Kids Jersey a torn Achilles that cost him the rest of the season.
Bowman has unfortunately grown accustomed to missing large chunks of time, but those absences haven't killed Bowman's desire to play. In fact, they've only strengthened his resolve to get back better than before.
Such is the case currently as Bowman reported for the start of the team's offseason conditioning program Monday with his Achilles mostly healed and a return apparently imminent.
“I believe he’s going to be cleared when we get going on the field," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I know that’s something him and [head Tj Carrie Youth Jersey athletic trainer Jeff Ferguson] are still working out. Right now, he was in the weight room doing the testing and stuff. We can’t go out on the field with him yet, but when that time comes, I think two weeks from now at minicamp, might have a better answer for you.”
Bowman said he participated in the running drills and other tests the players participated in Monday. While he said he still has some kinks to work out, Bowman is also expecting to be back on the field when the Niners hold their first minicamp April 25-27.
Of course, whether Bowman gets fully cleared to participate in that is up to Ferguson but Bowman said Ferguson watched him Monday and thought he moved well.
Getting back to full strength has been another lengthy process for Bowman, who has previously returned from multiple serious knee injuries. Bowman has spent most of his time near the Niners facility so the training staff could keep an eye on his rehabilitation.
"It was good," Bowman said. "We took it http://www.authenticsaintsshop.com/shop-by-players-james-laurinaiti... slow. In the last month, started ramping it up, doing a bit more things, jumping around, it’s been great, there’s been no setbacks or anything, just looking forward to getting back out there and showing what I have."
Upon his return, Bowman will be jumping into a 4-3 defensive scheme under new coordinator Robert Saleh. It will be the first time in Bowman's eight-year career he hasn't been in a 3-4 front. Although it's something new, Bowman expressed excitement to play in a scheme where he's only responsible for one gap and doesn't expect the adjustment to be too difficult.
The goal will then be to get back to the elite level of play he's known for.
"I was telling the guys today, I’m hungry," Bowman said. "I’ve been out of the game since Week 4 so any accomplishment that I had before, none of that matters. I really want to get back to prove myself and get back to that levelhttp://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-maurkice-pounc... and guys were saying ‘What are you on? How are you moving like this so early?’ So I’ll put the work in and I think God will bless me with a great season this year."