The San Francisco 49ers have officially activated OLB Aaron Lynch from the Roster Exemption List. To make room for Lynch on the roster, ILB NaVorro Bowman has officially been placed on the Injured Reserve list with a torn Achilles.
Lynch completed his four-game suspension for violating league policy on substances of abuse. He was able to return to practice on Monday following the team's home loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Bowman was injured on Sunday against the Cowboys. He went down while rushing the line of scrimmage and immediately grabbed at his left ankle. Bowman received attention from the 49ers' medical staff and eventually walked off of the field with a limp and some help from team trainers. He was later carted to the team's locker room.
An MRI on Monday revealed the severity of the injury. The torn Achilles would end his season. The injury comes nearly 13 months after Bowman's return to the football field from a torn ACL and MCL.
"I want to say thank you to all the fans, my teammates and peers that have sent me get-well wishes for a speedy recovery," Bowman wrote on Twitter. "I know God will protect and guide me thru these times. It's just a minor setback for a major comeback."
Thank You #MON5T3R pic.twitter.com/vzsnoagJ13
— Navorro Bowman (@NBowman53) October 6, 2016
Lynch has appeared in 30 games with 16 starts since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by San Francisco. In 2015, he saw action in 14 games with 13 starts, registered 46 tackles and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. He was the team's best edge defender according to advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus, where he earned an overall grade of 81.5.
Through nearly four games, Bowman had 35 tackles, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble, and two passes defended. Last season, 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.
Through four games this season, Bowman was the team's highest rated player according to advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus.
