San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman has received a boost in his bid to return from a knee injury after an MRI scan revealed no remaining structural damage.

Bowman suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee in a devastating injury during the NFC Championships game against the Seattle Seahawks back in January.

While he revealed that Bowman still felt pain earlier this week, defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio gave no indication of when he would return to practice.

"I don't think it has. I haven't been kept up to date on that as far as, 'Hey, it's going to happen next week.' Nobody's said anything either way," Fangio told reporters.

Fangio added that there is still a possibility that Bowman would not play at all this season as he must begin practising by Tuesday or the 49ers will have to place him on the season-ending injured reserve.