San Francisco 49ers standout inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman suffered a gruesome knee injury when he appeared to recover a fumble and his knee bent awkwardly.

It's feared that Bowman has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, according to coach Jim Harbaugh.

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate was carted off the field during the NFC championship game loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Offensive guard Mike Iupati was also carted off the field with an ankle injury.

Bowman didn't get credit for the fumble recovery in addition to getting his leg slammed into by 49ers rookie safety Eric Reid accidentally.

"I could hear him yelling," middle linebacker Patrick Willis told San Francisco reporters. "I was just thinking, 'Get out here and come help him.'"

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.