NaVorro Bowman’s shredded left knee is on the mend and the superstar linebacker hopes to return to form by midseason, when the bulk of the 49ers’ schedule begins. Bowman took a sizable step toward that return when he began sprinting this week.

“I must admit there’s times when I look out of my peripheral vision and see them doing their workouts on the turf over there,” coach Jim Harbaugh said on Friday, per the team’s official website. “It looked like he was moving pretty good, so that’s very positive.”

Bowman started the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, making him ineligible to practice or play in the 49ers’ first six games. The hope is the linebacker will be fully healthy and ready to go after that point.

via Kevin Patra of NFL.com