1:37pm: San Francisco has confirmed the activation of Bowman, announcing that tight end Vance McDonald is being placed on injured reserve to make room for the linebacker.
1:33pm: The 49ers have activated linebacker NaVorro Bowman to their 53-man roster in advance of today’s deadline, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link). Bowman had spent the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, and had to be either activated or placed on season-ending injured reserve today.
Bowman, 26, has spent the better part of a year recovering from a significant knee injury he suffered during last season’s playoffs. Having accumulated 145 tackles, five sacks, six forced fumbles, and a pair of interceptions in 2013, Bowman played a major role in one of the league’s best defensive units, and the 49ers missed him and suspended linebacker Aldon Smith during the first half of this season.
Although Smith returned to the field last month, it remains to be seen whether Bowman will actually see action during the regular season’s final three weeks. Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter) reported earlier today that the injured Niner wasn’t expected to play again this year, so it comes as a bit of a surprise that he’s even being activated, particularly since the club will need to cut a player to complete the transaction.
Players on the PUP list, like Bowman, get a three-week window between when they start practicing and when their teams must make a final decision on their status. While Bowman’s window began three weeks ago today, he has yet to step on the practice field with his teammates, according to Maiocco.