San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman was a full participant in the team's most recent minicamp, which took place just before the 2017 NFL Draft in April. It's been just seven months since Bowman suffered a torn Achilles during an October 2nd game against the Dallas Cowboys. He was placed on the injured reserve list four days later.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan joined KNBR on Thursday morning and gave an update on Bowman, who hopes to be ready for the start of the 2017 season.
"I couldn't be more excited with Bo than I am right now," Shanahan said. "I didn't know what to expect. I've gone against him over the years and have the utmost respect for him as a player. Never knew him as a person, though. To get here and -- he's been winning out drills out there, our shuttles. [Head strength and conditioning coach] Ray [Wright] takes him through a lot of competitions and stuff. And just to come out there and watch him, he does not look like a guy coming off Achilles.
"I thought it would take him some time. I didn't think he would really be looking himself until training camp but when I go out there right now and watch him work, he looks a lot better than I was expecting this early. He's put the time and he's put the work in.
"He didn't just start here when we got all the players. He started way before that. He's been in here working since, really, before I was hired. It's showing."
Shanahan went on to say that Bowman has put the work in this offseason and proven that he is a leader by example.
You can listen to the entire interview on KNBR.
Through the first four games of last season, Bowman had 35 tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, and two passes defended. In 2015, he was in on 1,126 defensive snaps. 627 of those were against the pass while 499 were against the run. During that time, Bowman compiled 154 tackles – which led the league – 2.5 sacks, and two passes defended.
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