National Football League

49ers to be without Bowman, Lattimore for first 6 weeks of season

Published Aug. 26, 2014 7:54 a.m. ET

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers' vaunted defense is going to be missing one of its key pieces for nearly half the season.

NaVorro Bowman was placed on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL and MCL in last year's NFC title game. San Francisco also placed running back Marcus Lattimore on the non-football injury list while he recovers from a knee injury. The earliest both players are eligible to return is Week 7.

Bowman has been voted to the Pro Bowl each of the past two seasons and was named first-team All-Pro the past three years. Bowman, who has played in every game during his four-year career, totaled a career-high 120 tackles and two interceptions last year.

Lattimore spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list after suffering a major knee injury in October 2012 while playing for the University of South Carolina.