Report: NFL competition committee to consider fumble recovery reviews

NaVorro Bowman had 14 tackles, including a sack, before he was injured. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowman stripped the ball from Jermaine Kearse in the fourth quarter of Sunday's NFC Championship Game and appeared to go to the ground with possession of the ball.

But the officials ruled Marshawn Lynch recovered for the Seahawks and the play wasn't reviewable.

That could be changing this offseason.

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The league's competition committee will look into expanding replay to include the recovery of a loose ball, a source told Pro Football Talk.

"Currently, the replay rules exempt such plays because every post-fumble pile up would entail a potential replay review," writes Mike Florio.

But Bowman, who suffered a torn ACL on the play, clearly went to the ground with possession of the ball and then lost it in the pile.

The 49ers trailed 20-17 at the time, and Lynch's recovery gave the Seahawks the ball on San Francisco's 1-yard line. But Seattle also fumbled on the next play, and this time the 49ers recovered.

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