Just days after signing him, the Raiders expect to start LB NaVorro Bowman tonight against the Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Oakland obviously signed him to help a struggling LB corps and likely felt more pressure to speed the veteran along because starters Cory James and Marquel Lee are dealing with injuries that have them questionable for the game. It's tough to know just how much Bowman will play in his 1st Raiders game, but he's the best bet in the corps to play enough snaps to help your IDP squad in a tackle-heavy format.

Veteran LB NaVorro Bowman has agreed to a deal with the Raiders, according to the Cowboys team website. That report arose because Bowman reportedly had other visits lined up but never left Oakland. It's a good fit, keeping Bowman close to the area in which he's spent his entire pro career and adding to a defense that has struggled at LB. Bowman could take over the starting MLB job for the Raiders as soon as he learns the defense. We'll see how quickly he can get acclimated. Don't feel the need to cling to Bowman unless you play in a deep IDP league.

The 49ers on Friday released veteran LB NaVorro Bowman. It's a shocking move because of the big name and his history with the team. But rumors of such a move date back to at least this spring. Bowman has dealt with multiple serious leg injuries in recent seasons and seen his play decline when on the field. Pro Football Focus graded him 63rd among 86 non-edge LBs so far this season. Bowman's likely to get a shot with another team, though. We'll see where and when that happens. His departure leaves room for a returning Reuben Foster (high ankle sprain) to take over in the middle and Ray-Ray Armstrong to continue playing on the outside.

Update: Bowman reportedly requested a release after his agent sent letters around the league, saying his client was available in trade.

The 49ers on Monday confirmed that LB NaVorro Bowman will miss the rest of the season after tearing his left Achilles' tendon against the Cowboys. Nick Bellore stepped in for Bowman on Sunday and looks like he'll start, according to the Sacramento Bee. Michael Wilhoite manned the other ILB spot next to Bowman. Wilhoite's the IDP option for now. We'll see what Bellore does in what would be his 1st career start.

Niners ILB NaVorro Bowman left Sunday's game against the Cowboys after suffering a non-contact left leg injury. He left the field on a cart. Former NFL team doctor David Chao called in a "classic eccentric load injury" and said the video of the hit indicates a ruptured Achilles' tendon. That would obviously end Bowman's season. We'd expect confirmation from the team either way by Monday.

Niners OLB Aaron Lynch left Sunday's win at Chicago with a concussion. If he makes it through the league protocol this week, Lynch will carry some sack upside into next Sunday's matchup with the Browns. ILB NaVorro Bowman also left Sunday's game briefly for a concussion test but passed and returned to lead the team in tackles.

49ers LB NaVorro Bowman conceded that his reconstructed left knee bothered him some during Sunday's loss to the Cardinals but downplayed the situation afterward. "No damage, but I felt it. Just rolled up on it. I'm fine," Bowman said, according to the Daily Democrat. "That's the trial that I've been telling you guys. You can't simulate football until you go out there and play games." We'll keep an eye on Bowman's status this week, but he appears headed for a start against the Packers on Sunday. And we'll take Bowman even at less than 100% in IDP lineups.

49ers LB NaVorro Bowman conceded this week that he's not quite back to his previous level. “Not yet, but I’m satisfied with how much work I’ve put in and how far I’ve come,” Bowman told CSN Bay Area. “But there are still hurdles I need to cross. I’m going to keep working until I get there. But it’s looking up for me.” Bowman doesn't need to get all the way back to his pre-injury level to deliver strong IDP value in the middle of a defense that has lost a lot of pieces. But it would certainly help his big-play potential. The Niners have reportedly decided to hold him out of Saturday's preseason opener, so we'll be interested to see how Bowman looks when he does take the exhibition field.

Niners LB NaVorro Bowman has been on the field for his team's voluntary minicamp this week and says things are going well. “It’s exciting to be out there with my teammates. There’s still a lot of work to do but my knee feels great,” Bowman said. That last part, of course, is what's important. Bowman missed all of last year after tearing up his right knee in the playoffs at the end of the previous season. Barring some setback this summer, we'll be drafting him among the top 10 IDP LBs in 2015 fantasy football drafts.

New 49ers HC Jim Tomsula said at his Thursday press conference that his defense will continue to run from a 3-4 base. There had been rumors of a switch to a 4-3 front after DC Vic Fangio left, which had IDP owners dreaming of an alignment that could accommodate LBs NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. Instead, 2 of those players (Bowman and 1 other) figure to continue starting at the inside spots, with Aldon Smith on the outside and Ahmad Brooks or Aaron Lynch across from him. We'll see how all the lineup pieces fall for the Niners.

49ers NaVorro Bowman returned to the practice field Wednesday for the 1st time since tearing up a knee in the playoff loss to the Seahawks. He's taking part on only a limited basis, but it's obviously a big step. The team still has 3 weeks to decide whether to return Bowman to the active roster or place him on IR, and the veteran LB is no lock to reclaim his starting job. But his talent obviously makes his progress worth watching for IDP owners, even at this relatively late stage in the season.

49ers LB NaVorro Bowman had an MRI on his recovering left knee Thursday, and the Sacramento Bee reports that the joint is continuing to improve. But DC Vic Fangio said he doesn't yet know if Bowman will even be able to return this year. The team would need to return Bowman to the practice field Tuesday if it hopes to activate him at any point. Fangio conceded that "I'm sure it's a possibility" that Bowman could miss the rest of the season. OLB Aldon Smith will return to the field this weekend after his 9-game suspension, but Fangio deemed the team's top pass-rusher "a little rusty." He said Thursday that he hadn't yet decided just how much Smith will play against the Giants. Don't consider him an IDP option yet.

Niners LB Navorro Bowman is eligible to start practicing with the team after Sunday's game against the Rams, but it doesn't sound like his body's ready to allow that.  “I think at some point he’ll eventually play. But right now, it’s still later rather than sooner,” DC Vic Fangio said Tuesday on KNBR.  Fangio added that Bowman's "ahead of where he should be" in his recovery from a February double-ligament repair.  But the coach also reminded everyone that the injury came near the end of the postseason rather than during the regular season.  IDP owners with deep benches could consider adding Bowman now, but there's no guarantee that he'll help your fantasy team at any point this year.  Bowman's bound to have some rust built up when he does return, and we'd bet on the Niners easing him back into his regular role.

Pro Football Talk reports that the Niners believe LB NaVorro Bowman tore multiple ligaments in his left knee near the end of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.  HC Jim Harbaugh already announced an ACL tear, but the team reportedly believes he also tore the MCL.  A 2nd torn ligament would obviously only complicate the recovery.  We'll see what the official outlook is once his injury his confirmed.  A healthy Bowman sits near the top of anyone's IDP rankings.  The knee injury will almost certainly alter his 2014, though dynasty-league owners shouldn't go selling him off.

The Niners went without LB NaVorro Bowman (knee, shoulder) in practice Wednesday, but the defensive star returned for Thursday's workout.  He should be on track to play Sunday against the Rams in a matchup he dominated the 1st time this season.  WR Mario Manningham (knee) also returned after missing Wednesday's workout.  DE Ray McDonald (ankle) remained out and looks unlikely to play after missing the past 2 games.  WR Michael Crabtree, meanwhile, continues to appear on track for a return to action Sunday.

The Niners welcomed back top CB Carlos Rogers at the start of minicamp Tuesday. Rogers had missed the bulk of offseason workouts because of a calf strain but was reportedly on the field for most of today's action. LB NaVorro Bowman wasn't there at all because he's on the verge of becoming a father of twins. The team excused him to stay home. LB Patrick Willis, meanwhile, was there but left the field during the first workout and has been excused for a personal matter. Obviously, neither situation is particularly concerning -- though Bowman surely won't be sleeping nearly as much this season.