NaVorro Bowman happy with rule

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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

NaVorro Bowman is happy that the NFL has tweaked its rule on whether a loose-ball recovery is reviewable.

Bowman suffered a serious knee injury in January while attempting to recover a fumble during the San Francisco 49ers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. Although Bowman clearly appeared to gain control of the ball, officials ruled that Seattle maintained possession, and the play was not reviewed.

NFL owners voted last week to allow replay of loose-ball recoveries -- the so-called "NaVorro Bowman Rule."

"That doesn't fix my knee," Bowman said during a recent interview with the San Jose Mercury News. "But [the wrong call] won't happen anymore."

Bowman suffered a torn ACL on the play and is not expected to return until midway through the 2014 season. The two-time Pro Bowl linebacker told the Mercury News that he has watched replays of the injury.

"I'm not really a grudge-type man," Bowman said. "I got to move on if I want to continue playing."

Bowman, 25, also told the paper that his doctors have told him he is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

"[My knee] feels great," Bowman said. "It's early, but I'm doing well. I came back and saw [people in] the organization and they're excited to see how far I am. So, I'll keep working hard and see where I end up."

Bowman recorded 145 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions last season, his fourth with the Niners.

ESPN.com 49ers reporter Bill Williamson contributed to this report.

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