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Reports out of the Bay Area are that 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is headed to injured reserve because of the toe injury that’s kept him out of the lineup recently and it doesn’t look like they’ll have immediate help from NaVorro Bowman to help replace him in the lineup.

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that he spoke to Bowman on Sunday and that the linebacker is still experiencing pain in his surgically repaired left knee. Bowman is on the Physically Unable to Perform list after tearing his ACL and MCL in January’s NFC Championship Game.

Bowman told Werder that he’s unsure when he’ll be cleared to practice and coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday on KNBR that it could still happen this week if doctors like what they see on an MRI.

“Talking to our doctors yesterday, they want to get another MRI, and see exactly where he’s at before that takes place,” Harbaugh said, via CSNBayArea.com. “It’s been 9 ½ months, so as they see fit and what is prudent to get that MRI and make a good check of where he is and then proceed.”

Bowman will have a three-week window to join the active roster once he starts practicing and has to start practicing next week in order to have any chance of playing this season.