San Francisco 49ers lose LB NaVorro Bowman to torn Achilles

San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, a four-time NFL All-Pro selection, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, the team announced Monday.

Bowman was injured during Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and tests immediately after the injury occurred suggested it could be season-ending. Further tests Monday confirmed the diagnosis, putting him out for the entire 2016 season.

Bowman missed the 2014 season after tearing his ACL and MCL in the 2013 NFC Championship Game. He played in all 16 games last season and led the league in tackles. He was selected for the Pro Bowl as well as being named first-team All-NFL in 2015.

"It stinks. It's really, really bad," 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley said, according to the Sacramento Bee. "NaVorro is a captain for us, one of our team leaders. We're going to have to have a guy step up. That's a huge role to fill. You can't really replace a guy like NaVorro, but we have to have guys step up and be ready to go."

Prior to this season Bowman signed a four-year, $77 million contract extension that takes him through the 2022 season.

This season, Bowman had 24 tackles, one sack, two pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.

Michael Wilhoite, Gerald Hodges, Nick Bellore and Shayne Skov are expected to be the candidates to replace Bowman.

"If NaVorro is out for this week or an extended period of time it'll be really those four that you will see in there," 49ers head coach Chip Kelly said before the announcement of Bowman's status was made. "Bellore, Wilhoite, Hodge, and Skov. Those are the four we've got."