Navorro Bowman

Navorro Bowman has been released Friday per his request.

Fantasy Impact

Bowman had his snaps reduced during Week 5 by a coaches decision and he expressed his frustration in a post game interview. Earlier Friday rumors began to swirl that the 49ers had been shopping him, and now he has been released. With the 49ers in the middle of a rebuild, drafting Reuben Foster and the emergence of Ray-Ray Armstrong has allowed the aging and injury prone Bowman to become expendable. He is still capable of producing LB1 numbers but he just hasn't showed consistent production so far this year.

The 49ers are reportedly shopping All-Pro linebacker Navorro Bowman and there are teams interested.

Fantasy Impact

Since joining the 49ers as a third round pick in 2010, Bowman has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL earning first-team All-Pro recognition four times and being named as a Pro Bowler three times. Unfortunately, he suffered two season-ending injuries in back-to-back years and was reportedly on the trade block before the season started. Reuben Foster was taken in the first round of this year's draft and is expected to return from a high ankle sprain in week 6. For IDP purposes, Bowman still is tied for 17th in the league with 38 combined tackles even though he's been occassionally benched to supposedly keep him fresh. He's certainly still capable of being a defensive contributor and could see a boost in production if he lands on a team that gives him more field time.

Navorro Bowman racked up ten tackles including seven solo and one tackle for loss in yesterday's loss to Seattle.

Fantasy Impact

Bowman led the 49ers in tackles and was the heart of the defense just like he was prior to his season ending injury last year. Bowman was the victim of a lot of off-season rumors to include being traded or even cut. The 49ers quickly dismissed the rumors, but it appears that Bowman may be playing with a chip on his shoulder. His ceiling will only go up once Reuben Foster returns from injury when defenses won't be able to just scheme against him. Bowman is still an LB1 and as long as he can stay healthy he will be in store for a big year.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Navorro Bowman (Achilles) is back to running at "full speed" at OTAs. "Injuries are part of the game, but I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do to get back to where I am today," Bowman said via 49ers.com. "I’m ahead of schedule. I don’t feel anything in my Achilles or my knee. Guys can see that out there on the field.”

Fantasy Impact

Bowman, who missed 12 games in 2016 with an Achilles injury, is "ahead of schedule" in his rehab and is "already back to running at full speed," per reports. The veteran linebacker will anchor a 49ers defense that was simply atrocious against the run last season. His presence should certainly boost the unit for the 2017 campaign.

The 49ers gave big money to free agent LB Malcolm Smith and drafted LB Rueben Foster in the first round of this year's draft. Bowman has said that he won't be on the sidelines this year, so it seems that he has some extra motivation to be the starter.

Fantasy Impact

When healthy, Bowman is the best LB in the league. If he's back to his old self, there is no way he'll be on the sidelines.