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The San Francisco 49ers had media availability on Wednesday, and we got a few little tidbits about injury recovery. The team is in the middle of a three-day voluntary minicamp, which means we are starting to get a small idea where guys like NaVorro Bowman, Daniel Kilgore and Darnell Dockett stand as they rehab from various injuries.
Bowman was back at practice on Tuesday, and said that his knee is stable and holding up well. He acknowledged there were aches from the return to practice, and it would be something he would deal with over the next year. He has not taken part in full practice in 15 months, and it sounds like he let loose a bit on Tuesday. He talked about how he was moving pretty quick on Tuesday due to the lack of activity for so long. He said "A lot of guys, said, ‘Man, it seems like you're anxious.' And I am. I haven't been able to run around and do any of those things for a long time. Yesterday, I was little faster than all the guys."
We also had some updates on Darnell Dockett and Daniel Kilgore:
Darnell Dockett (ACL), Daniel Kilgore (ankle) are in rehab mode for the #49ers. NaVorro Bowman (ACL) took part in a full session Tuesday.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) April 29, 2015
#49ers OL Daniel Kilgore is moving without a brace on his injured ankle. Says there’s no timetable for his return just yet.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) April 29, 2015
Dockett told the media he was right where he needed to be as he rehabs his ACL injury from last year. He tore his ACL last August, so I would not expect much participation for him in the offseason workout program. If he continues making progress, he should be in good shape for the preseason. It is possible he could start training camp on the PUP list, but I expect him to be fine at some point in August (barring unexpected developments, of course).
Kilgore's status is also a bit up in the air, but the fact that he is not using a brace would seem to be a step in the right direction. Like Dockett, I do not expect to see much of Kilgore participating in the offseason workout program. It really comes down to how he is when training camp gets here in July. If he is not able to go right away, Marcus Martin gets a tremendous boost. If Kilgore is ready to go come late July, the battle for the center role should be intense.