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SANTA CLARA, Calif. Tom Jackson Youth Jersey . -- NaVorro Bowman tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee when he went down during Sundays NFC championship loss at Seattle, a person with direct knowledge of the injury said Monday. The person said that Bowman would have surgery for the ACL tear but that the MCL is likely to heal with rest and he is expected to be ready for the 2014 season. "Its not as bad as feared," the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the team hadnt made an announcement regarding the results of tests on Bowmans knee. Coach Jim Harbaugh said after Sundays 23-17 season-ending loss to the Seahawks that Bowman was believed to have torn his ACL, and Harbaugh wasnt to address the media again until Tuesday. Kansas Citys Derrick Johnson was chosen Monday to replace Bowman in the Pro Bowl. 49ers linebackers coach Jim Leavitt remained optimistic earlier Monday that Bowman would be playing when the 49ers open new Levis Stadium next season. "Hes a warrior. Hes going to push forward, theres no question," Leavitt said. "Hes a special guy, tremendously talented, but hes got such a heart. Hes been so good with me its unbelievable. Hes great young man. Hell be fine. Were going into a new stadium and hell be ready to go when we start." In addition, left guard Mike Iupati broke his left ankle in the loss. He says he doesnt know whether he will need surgery, but is scheduled to be further evaluated Tuesday. "This is a bad-luck year," said Iupati, who missed four games with a left knee injury. "Ill probably be in a cast for a while. Ill be here rehabbing. Its day by day and wish for the best." As the 49ers braced for Bowmans lengthy recovery, they were still dealing with the sting of another season that ended just short of the goal. Safety Donte Whitner was irked at any Seattle fans involved with throwing popcorn and other debris on Bowman as he was carted off at CenturyLink Field. "Thats pure ignorance," said Whitner, who noted losing to the rival Seahawks "makes it a little worse cuz I wanted to send those fans home crying." And how about the postgame comments by cornerback Richard Sherman calling 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree "mediocre" and "sorry" following his game-saving defensive play in the end zone during the waning moments? "Pure ignorance, simple as that," Whitner said. Added tight end Vernon Davis: "He talks a lot. Sometimes you just need to shut your mouth. You got the win. Be humble, be gracious and just accept it. ... Maybe he could learn from other people around the league that know how to be a true gentleman that show good sportsmanship." For Bowman, this is a terrible ending to a career season in which he emerged as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. In December, Bowmans three sacks, two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery were unmatched by any other player all season. The 25-year-old Bowman, drafted out of Penn State in 2010 and signed to a five-year contract extension worth $45.25 million in November 2012, had 145 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and four forced fumbles this season. "He sacrificed his body for this team. Hes our leader and arguably the best player that we have," rookie safety Eric Reid said. "To see him go down, it hurts. Ill be praying for him and wishing him a speedy recovery. ... He was surprisingly optimistic (on the plane). He looked like he was doing OK." Harbaugh, Leavitt and the other coaches met with their players Monday morning, passing out paperwork on the off-season conditioning program before everybody packed their belongings and parted ways. For many, especially players on defence, having the season end seeing Bowman go down made it that much tougher. "I didnt talk to him, because theres nothing really that you can say to somebody that puts so much into it and they go out with an injury like that," Whitner said. "From playing up here and being on this high level to being dropped all the way to the bottom on an injury, it has to be devastating. So I dont really know what to say to him right now. Ill say something eventually." Pro Football Talk first reported details of Bowmans injury Monday. Bowman still planned to attend a meet and greet appearance Tuesday night at a mall in nearby Concord, according to publicist Theodore Palmer. Notes: LB Ahmad Brooks is scheduled to fly to Hawaii on Tuesday to join the NFC Pro Bowl team, though the 49ers didnt yet know whether other selections planned to attend or pull out of the game. ... C Jonathan Goodwin said he will listen to any offers this off-season but also might consider retirement. "Deep down I think Im still willing, but what creates uncertainty for me is being a 35-year-old free agent, which in this time of the NFL can be tough," Goodwin said. ... Whitner and WR Anquan Boldin also are uncertain they will be back with the 49ers. Whitner said he would like to stay and that Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke expressed they would like him to return. "Hopefully we can get something done," Whitner said. "This is a business. Sometimes players dont fit into what you want to do salary-cap wise." Kyle Williams Broncos Jersey . According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, league sources say the Cavaliers are working on a trade to acquire forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves but only if they sign James. Karl Mecklenburg Jersey . -- After having his worst game in a Detroit Pistons uniform earlier in the week, free agent Josh Smith erased that memory with his best game Friday night.AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn tailback Tre Mason, who helped power the Tigers into the national championship game, is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. "It was a dream since I was young," Mason said Thursday in announcing his decision. "Im a dream chaser, and now Im just trying to make a dream into reality." The Heisman Trophy finalist was the Tigers workhorse late in the season, coming through in the seasons biggest games. "It was a big dream of mine," Mason said. "I wanted the ball bad, and I felt I could do something with the ball in my hand." Mason, who finished sixth in the Heisman voting, is projected as a likely mid-round draft pick. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder said he received a third-round grade from the NFL draft advisory board. Third-year sophomore left tackle Greg Robinson is also headed to the NFL. Mason broke Bo Jacksons 28-year-old school single-season record with 1,816 yards. He also ran for 24 touchdowns and finished with six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. "He did a wonderful job for us not only this year, but really his whole career," said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who recruited Mason when he was offensive co-ordinator. "Not just the way he played football but the wayy he represented Auburn. Antonio Smith Youth Jersey. "This is a big day for him and his family. This is a big day for Auburn, so Im very proud of him." Mason rushed for 195 yards and scored two touchdowns in Monday nights BCS championship game against Florida State Monday night. His tackle-breaking 37-yard run with 1:19 left gave the Tigers the lead before losing 34-31. Once regarded as an undersized, speed back, Mason averaged 34 carries and 194.5 yards over the final four games. He ran 46 times for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the Southeastern Conference championship game against Missouri. Malzahn called Mason "one of the tougher individuals in all of college football." "He can run between the tackles, hes got great courage, he plays his best games in his biggest games, and hes a good receiver out of the backfield also," the coach said. Mason was asked what kind of running back the team that drafts him will get. "I feel like theyll get somebody thats a hard worker, willing to do whatever it takes to win," he said. "My minds not just set on money, its set on championships. I have yet to win a championship, and my mind-sets not going to change. 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