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Earlier today, we learned that NaVorro Bowman is believed to have suffered a torn ACL and a torn MCL. The 49ers linebacker underwent an MRI, and Pro Football Talk was the first to report it was the pair of ligaments.
Matt Barrows has now followed up with information on Mike Iupati. Per a league source, Iupati suffered a broken fibula. There were initial reports it was an ankle injury, and at the time, it looked like he might have re-injured his left knee. Instead, the injury is not nearly as bad as it looked. A broken fibula is nothing to sneeze at, but the best part is that there are no ligament issues. The fibula will get a chance to heal, and according to Barrows, Iupati's leg should be 100 percent in the next eight weeks.
It was a tough year for Iupati, as he was frequently on the injury report. Iupati sprained his MCL, and also was listed with a shoulder injury over the course of the season. I'll be putting together a complete rundown of the injury reports this season later this week, but Iupati was one of the most frequently appearing players. He'll have the entire offseason to get healthy, and ready for 2014.
It will be an interesting year for the interior of the 49ers offensive line. Iupati and Alex Boone return, but there is a good chance the team will have a new center. It could be current backup Daniel Kilgore, or it could be someone found in the 2014 NFL Draft. I suppose they could hit up free agency as well, but I don't expect the starter to be found in the free agent market. It is possible Jonathan Goodwin returns for another year, but I don't expect that to happen.
