NaVorro Bowman happy with new fumble rule, but says it 'doesn't fix' injured knee

NaVorro Bowman tore both ligaments in his knee during the NFC title game. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP) It was the ultimate insult to injury. San Francisco

NaVorro Bowman tore both ligaments in his knee during the NFC title game. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

It was the ultimate insult to injury.

San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowmantore his ACL and MCL in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game, but he thought he had in the process recovered a crucial fumble inside his own 5-yard line.

Nope.

Despite Bowman clearly having the ball, the officials ruled Seattle maintained possession, and the play was not reviewable under NFL rules.

Last week, NFL owners voted to change that, enacting a rule that will allow replay for a loose-ball recovery. Many are calling it "The NaVorro Bowman Rule."

The 25-year-old two-time Pro Bowler is pleased about the NFL's decision, he just wishes it had come sooner.

"That doesn't fix my knee,"

Bowman told Steve Corkran of the 

San Jose Mercury News

. "But [the wrong call] won't happen anymore.

"I'm not really a grudge type man. I got to move on if I want to continue playing."

The fourth-year player out of Penn State added that his doctors believe he's ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation. It's too early, however, to say when he might return.