Bowman, 49ers Face Tall Task in Stopping Rams RB Gurley

Ten months after 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman sustained extensive damage to his left knee in a playoff game, Georgia running back Todd Gurley went down with a clean ACL tear. One month later, Gurley declared for the NFL Draft.

While Bowman missed an entire season, Gurley missed only the first two games of his rookie year with the Rams. He went on to rush for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns after being chosen No. 10 overall – the first running back selected in the first round since 2012.

The 49ers saw Gurley once last season. He gained 133 yards on 20 rushing attempts on Nov. 1, just two weeks shy of the one-year anniversary of his left knee injury. And Bowman said he expects Gurley to be significantly improved this season – another year removed from the injury.

The 49ers and Rams open the regular season on Monday night at Levi's Stadium, and there is little question Gurley enters as the focal point of the Los Angeles offense.

"I expect him to feel a lot better than the year he came in," Bowman said of Gurley, with whom he spoke in the offseason and shared his insights into managing his own knee issue.

"I think that's the reason he's looked at like he is. He did what he did coming off an injury. Imagine if he has a year under his belt. I'm sure he's coming in excited, just like I was after my knee injury."

Bowman returned after a one-year absence to lead the NFL in tackles last season. Admittedly, he was not all the way back. But now he said his knee feels closer to its pre-injury form.

"I'm excited, just to finally start feeling normal again," Bowman said. "Just trying to play my best. Now that the knee's behind me, for the most part, I'm able to focus on just getting my body (right) and being prepared for the game."

The area that Bowman has unquestionably improved from before he was forced to sit out an entire season is his understanding of the game. He detailed what he studies as he prepares to face a running back.

"If he likes going downhill or he likes bouncing it out," Bowman said. "What type of holes he likes to get to on certain plays? His alignments, things like that. All those things can tell you something about a play or a player. All those things go into my film work. I try to look at everything as a coach. And if you do that, you should be prepared."

The 49ers have to be prepared to face Gurley, whose workload during the exhibition season consisted of just four rushing attempts for 20 yards.

"They're very exotic when it comes to their running scheme," 49ers safety Eric Reid said. "They have a ton of plays. First and foremost, our game plan is going to be to stop the run and force them to throw the ball."

Gurley will certainly be Bowman's main focus on Monday night.

"Running backs pay attention to the linebackers, just like wide receivers pay attention to cornerbacks," Bowman said. "That's our common matchup throughout the game. They know they're going to see us as linebackers, and we know we're going to see him. We just have to be prepared and understand they look at him as (an elite) running back. It's our job as a defense to come out and stop them."

Bowman had different partners alongside him during training camp, as Gerald Hodges, Ray-Ray Armstrong and Michael Wilhoite competed for the other inside linebacker position. Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil said each of those three players will be used in some capacity, but Hodges appeared to be in the lead late in training camp.

"He's a very intense football player," Bowman said of Hodges. "He's smart. He's fast. He understands the game. And he went to Penn State, so got to get the Nittany Lions out there together. He's done a great job throughout camp. I feel like the battle is still there. The coaches are just looking for a guy who's going to take it."

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