Bowman pleased with way knee responded in practice

SANTA CLARA — NaVorro Bowman says his surgically repaired knee is “feeling great” upon returning to the 49ers practice field, his first action since tearing ligaments 15 months ago in the NFC Championship game at Seattle.

“My knee is still stable and holding up the way they expect it,” Bowman said Wednesday, midway through a voluntary minicamp. “I continue to work through the little aches I have, but that’s going to be there for at least another year, and I’ve got to figure out a way to deal with it.”

Bowman did not play last season while rehabilitating his knee, having torn his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments on a goal- line tackle. The 49ers now need him to offset last month’s retirements of fellow linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.

“I was happy with the movements and everything, and completing the practice,” Bowman said. “The reps weren’t limited too much. They allowed me to go out there and do as much as I could. I’m excited. There’s still a lot of work to do, but my knee is feeling great.”

Bowman’s teammates were just as excited to see him on the field again, despite his apparently humble approach. “He’s trying to keep it low key, he’s not trying to make a show that he’s out there,” safety Eric Reid said. “I tried to give him a high- five, and he said, ‘ No, no, no.’ He just wants to work.”

Right guard Alex Boone is not participating in the 49ers’ voluntary offseason program, including this week’s minicamp, a source confirmed. Boone missed all of last offseason and training camp before ultimately landing a twoyear, $ 6 million contract. He is expected to attend the mandatory minicamp in June, however.

Also absent at Wednesday’s voluntary minicamp, for unknown reasons, were right tackle Anthony Davis, wide receiver Anquan Boldin, defensive back Jimmie Ward and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch.

Fullback Bruce Miller remains away from the team following his March arrest for suspicion of spousal abuse. Defensive linemen Darnell Dockett and Glenn Dorsey, both recovering from 2014 injuries, rode exercise bikes in the weight room while wide receiver Bruce Ellington did individual conditioning on the field with trainers.

As a former division rival with the Arizona Cardinals, Dockett knew there would be awkward times upon his defection to the 49ers. Enter: left tackle Joe Staley. “We probably walked past each other four times until we actually spoke,” Dockett said. “We kind of shook hands and then kind of put it behind us. I’ll try to do the same thing to the whole team.”

A torn anterior cruciate ligament kept Dockett off the field last season and concluded his 11- year tenure with the Arizona Cardinals. “I’m just taking my time to make sure I get to the season, and not have a setback in preseason,” Dockett said. “I’m right where I need to be. Trust me.”

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith insisted he doesn’t know whether Justin Smith will retire or return for a 15th season. But Smith may have slipped when explaining how he’s comfortable filling any leadership void. Said Smith: “Obviously losing guys who were here — Justin, Pat ( Willis), guys like that who were leaders — somebody steps up, and it’s something I have no problem doing.”

Running back Jarryd Hayne attracted the day’s most media attention, including nearly a dozen reporters from his native Australia. Hayne, a national rugby league star, said studying the playbook is his biggest challenge, and he’s taken a novel approach to conquer it.

“He goes out to walkthrough ( practice) with a cheat sheet,” fellow running back Carlos Hyde said. “That’s the first time I’ve seen anyone go out with notes.”