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ByCamInman BayAreaNewsGroup SANTA CLARA The Pro Bowl may not mean much to NFL fans but it does to NaVorro Bowman. His invitation this season honors his remarkable come- back from a devastating knee injury 23 months ago. To him, it's also a perfect reward for his family members' support. "It's an exciting time for me and my family," Bowman said Wednesday. "They've always heard about the Pro Bowl and never got a chance to experi- ence it." Bowman couldn't RSVP "yes" to his previous two Pro Bowl in- vitations. During the 2012 sea- son, he was busy preparing for the Super Bowl. The follow- ing season's Pro Bowl trip was thwarted by his knee injury a week earlier in Seattle, in the NFC Championship Game de- feat. Bowman thanked his peers for recognizing "how dedicated I was to get back to a high level of play. I'm not at the level I want to be at, yet, but definitely at the level I can still make plays." Bowman and the San Fran- cisco 49ers (4-10) play this Sun- day at Detroit, where Bowman played one of the best games of his career in 2011 as an emerg- ing All-Pro. Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini acknowledged Wednes- day he didn't know if Bowman would return close to that form in his comeback, citing the phys- ical and mental hurdles Bow- man faced. "From where we were there to now, I'm really happy for him, and it's a great story," Mangini said. Bowman has played 96-per- cent of the 49ers defense's snaps, second-most behind safety Eric Reid. Bowman's staggering to- tal of 959 plays even surprised him when informed by reporters during Wednesday's practice, which he's routinely been ex- cused from to rest his left knee. Being tied for the league-lead in solo tackles (99) is a stat Bow- man relishes, because, "as a line- backer you want to make sure that tackling is the No. 1 thing in your game." Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has come 49ERS NOTES Bowmanexcitedover invitationtoProBowl Postseasonhonors cap a comeback from a horrific knee injury suffered during 2013 JONATHANDANIEL—GETTYIMAGES Matt Forte (22) of the Chicago Bears is hit by NaVorro Bowman (53) of the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on Dec. 6in Chicago. The 49ers defeated the Bears 26-20in overtime. ERIC RISBERG — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) approaches San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) during the second half Sunday in Santa Clara. By Michael Marot The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS DeMarcus Cous- ins delivered the big shots in- side. Darren Collison and Rajon Rondo made life difficult on the perimeter. Cousins scored 25 points and had a season-high 16 rebounds, Collison added a season-best 24 points and Rondo fell just short of his fifth triple-double this season as the Kings fended off the Indiana Pacers' late push in a 108-106 victory Wednesday night. "We don't win without Darren Collison," Kings coach George Karl said. "It was a team ef- fort in a lot of ways, but Dar- ren Collison was special. I know he played (with Indiana). Some- times coming back to places (motivates you)." It was more than just Colli- son, though. Rondo nearly added to his league-high total of triple-dou- bles by finishing with 13 points, 16 assists and eight rebounds as the Kings won for the fifth time in seven games on a night that didn't go quite as easily as it could have. Indiana rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to take a 106-104 lead on Monta Ellis' 3-pointer from the corner with 2:06 to play. Rudy Gay made a pull-up jumper to tie the score, Cousins made two free throws to give Sacramento the lead with 1:05 NBA SacramentohangsonforwinatIndiana Cousins leads Kings from inside, Collison, Rondo take perimeter MICHAEL CONROY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots in front of Indiana Pacers center Jordan Hill, right, during the first half Wednesday in Indianapolis. KINGS108,PACERS106 Sunday: Portland Trail Blazers at Sacramento Kings, 6p.m., TV on CSNCA. THESCORE Sunday: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions, 10a.m., TV on FOX. TUNEIN By Jimmy Durkin Bay Area News Group OAKLAND It's the unavoidable topic as the Oakland Raiders take the field Thursday at O.co Coliseum against the San Diego Chargers: the Christmas Eve af- fair could be the team's final game in Oakland. The players and coaches have maintained the stance all year that it's a topic beyond their con- trol, but they can't help but think about it now that the potential fi- nale is upon them. "I'm not sure what will hap- pen," running back Latavius Mur- ray said, "but obviously my first few years here have been great, fans have been great, city of Oak- land has been great, so I guess we'll see." It's become increasingly im- possible to predict what will hap- pen on the relocation front with three teams — the Raiders, Char- gers and St. Louis Rams — all po- sitioning themselves for a move to Los Angeles. The NFL set a Dec. 30 deadline for cities to de- NFL Raiders to play finale in Oakland potentially Players, coaches try to focus on facing Chargers BEN MARGOT — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Raiders' Latavius Murray (28) is tackled by Green Bay's Mike Daniels (76) on Sunday in Oakland. Thursday: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders, 5:25p.m., TV on NFL Network. TUNEIN By Jerry McDonald Bay Area News Group ALAMEDA The rookie season of Oakland Raiders defensive line- man Mario Edwards Jr. is over. When and if Edwards returns is an open question after coach Jack Del Rio said the rookie sustained a serious neck injury against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. "He had a significant injury," Del Rio said. "We want to make sure we do what's best for him first. Just hoping for the best. But (we're) really most concerned with him right now. Other things going forward, we'll worry about that later. But it's significant, what he has." Edwards lasted just three snaps against the Packers, was removed from the game and did not return. He was injured on a 2-yard run by Eddie Lacy on Green Bay's second play from scrimmage. Edwards was engaged with tackle David Bahktiari and appeared to have his neck twisted as he shed the block. He was on the field for one more play but did not return af- ter Green Bay punted. Defensive tackle Dan Williams said he's talked to Edwards, who didn't RAIDERS NOTES RYAN KANG — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Raiders players including Khalil Mack (52) watch from the bench in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. Edwards out for remainder of season due to neck injury 49ERS PAGE 2 OAKLAND PAGE 2 RAIDERS PAGE 2 KINGS PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, December 24, 2015 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1