Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Updates from Saturday, Dec. 13

The 49ers announced they have placed NaVorro Bowman on the IR:

The San Francisco 49ers have promoted cornerback Marcus Cromartie and guard Andrew Tiller to the active roster from the team’s practice squad. In order to make room on the roster, the team has placed linebacker NaVorro Bowman and defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey on the Injured Reserve List.

Updates from Wednesday, Dec. 10

Jim Harbaugh confirmed NaVorro Bowman's status for Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks according to Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times:

Updates from Tuesday, Dec. 9

The 49ers announce NaVorro Bowman has been activated:

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area indicates he may not actually play in a game this season:

ESPN's Ed Werder previously reported he wasn't expected to play:

Updates from Monday, Dec. 1

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on NaVorro Bowman's status for this week of practice:

Updates from Monday, Nov. 24

The 49ers provided a statement from head coach Jim Harbaugh discussing NaVorro Bowman's recovery:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 21

The 49ers provided an update on Bowman's recovery:

Updates from Thursday, Nov 20

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio commented on NaVorro Bowman's recovery and return on Thursday, via the 49ers:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 19

Coach Jim Harbaugh provides the latest information on NaVorro Bowman's ability to practice this week via CSN's Matt Maiocco:

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group added

Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 18

The 49ers updated NaVorro Bowman's status as he tries to return from his knee injury:

CSN's Matt Maiocco has more on Bowman:

Updates from Saturday, Nov. 15

Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports has an update on Bowman:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 14

ESPN's Adam Schefter has an update on NaVorro Bowman's status:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 13

Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports reported the latest on NaVorro Bowman's road back to the 49ers:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 12

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco provides an update on NaVorro Bowman's recovery:

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination on his surgically repaired left knee on Wednesday, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. It appears unlikely Bowman will return to practice this week. He is likely to make his practice debut on Tuesday, the last day he can return to practice and still be eligible to play this season.

Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 11

Ed Werder of ESPN talked to NaVorro Bowman about his recovery:

Updates from Monday, Nov. 10

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported on NaVorro Bowman's recovery and eventual return to practice:

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 28

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passed along comments from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke on NaVorro Bowman's recovery:

There is no timetable set for NaVorro Bowman’s return, but 49ers general manager Trent Baalke suggested the All-Pro linebacker might actually be running faster as he rehabs from his serious left knee injury. 'I talked to him the other day in the weight room before I left and he was all excited ‘cause he had gotten to run a full-speed 40 for the first time in a long time and broke the 4.5 range -- it was in the 4.5 range,' Baalke said Monday on his weekly appearance on the Damon Bruce Show (95.7 The Game). 'So he was all excited. But he’s coming along very well. When he’s set to return remains to be seen. But progressing well, as is Patrick (Willis).'

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 21

The 49ers provide GM Trent Baalke's comments on NaVorro Bowman's recovery:

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 7

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reported the latest on NaVorro Bowman's rehab:

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 11

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco provides an update on Navorro Bowman's recovery:

Original Text:

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman will officially be out for almost half of the 2014 NFL regular season as of Monday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter has the latest update on Bowman's recovery from knee surgery:

Bowman tore his ACL and MCL in the Niners' loss in the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks, the eventual Super Bowl winners.

The linebacker corps figures to be thin in San Francisco to start the year. Between Bowman's absence and the impending suspension for Aldon Smith, it will be up to emotional leader Patrick Willis to carry the defense and keep it among the NFL's best.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported that Smith could be out for six to eight games—about the span Bowman is bound to miss:

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller observed during the Niners' preseason game versus San Diego on Sunday that Bowman's ability to run with opposing pass-catchers will be tough to replace:

Niners linebacker Ahmad Brooks is confident San Francisco can find a way to fill the void, per The Washington Post's Mark Maske:

We played without [Patrick Willis] a few times over the past couple years, and NaVorro has been there. Michael Wilhoite has stepped in and played. So he has some experience at the inside linebacker position. I think we’ll be fine. They’re two different type of players, you know what I’m saying? But all in all, our defense will be okay.

After making it to at least the conference title game in the past three years, expectations are high in San Francisco despite the key absences the team will have to endure to get back to that elite level.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, fresh off of a contract extension, will be charged with setting the tone more than ever, unable to rely as much on the defense for aid.

Kaepernick and the first-team offense haven't performed all that well in the preseason, making the Niners' 2014 outlook appear all the more ominous. There isn't much time for Kaepernick to get everyone on the same page, and the offensive line must reestablish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the running game.

Whenever he does return, Bowman will provide a big boost to the Niners as a playmaker who embodies the physical style of play that has made San Francisco so successful in the Jim Harbaugh era. However, the tough NFC West division will make it difficult for the Niners to stay afloat until Bowman is back on the gridiron.