San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Friday afternoon that rookie running back Trey Sermon has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. This would appear to clear the way for Sermon, a third-round pick for the 49ers in this year’s draft, to make his first NFL start on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Sermon made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ 17-11 victory over Philadelphia. Sermon gained eight yards on the play before taking two vicious blows to the head which left him concussed.
The positive news on Sermon is important for a 49ers’ team that has seen each of the four running backs on their original 53-man roster have deal with injuries following the first two weeks of the season.
The 49ers have already lost Raheem Mostert for the season after only two carries against Detroit and JaMycal Hasty will be out for a while after suffering a high ankle sprain against Philadelphia.
Shanahan stated that Elijah Mitchell is doubtful to play on Sunday night, but that he is holding out hope that he can play. Mitchell’s availability will come down to how he feels on Sunday prior to the game.
If Mitchell is unable to go the 49ers will have Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick available as backups and may choose to pull either Kerryon Johnson or Chris Thompson up from the practice squad. Thompson was originally drafted by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft so he is familiar with Shanahan’s offense.
Wow when you mentioned Chris Thompson I thought he was someone else with the same name. Apparently it’s the same guy from back in the day in DC. Who knew he was still in the league.
Also, if Thompson can somehow still have a job, why not Gore?
Taking this from the article linked to below:
“He could help the team in specific ways, but getting outside on outside zone runs is probably not one of them at this point of his career. That limits the area for him on the active roster. Not to mention he hasn’t played football since last season, which means he’d at best be given a practice squad spot to try to get in playing shape.”
https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/22/kyle-shanahan-explains-why-49ers-didnt-sign-frank-gore/
True, but he’s an excellent blocker and great safety valve in the passing game. Doesn’t drop the rock, and executes each play fundamentally sound. Besides, I don’t see Trey Sermon getting outside on zone runs either. And Chris Thompson….. I don’t know what he’s ever done to warrant another roster consideration. Not that I think Gore is super high on my list, but certainly would trump the Chris Thompson pickup. Perhaps it boils down to money.
I guess Shanny really just wants a practice squad guy.
Hey, I just thought of something. Is it a coincidence that every year since the opening of Levis the Niners start the season with a 2 game road trip. This year their first home game is on a Sunday night. They wont play an afternoon game at Levis until October 3rd vs Seattle ( Very Big Game). Instead of adding the retractable dome which Jed was toying around with this a a more cost effective plan B and saves the Faithful from getting skin cancer.
Another thing on the schedule which is sticking out is the 11/21 game @ Jags. The week before we play the Rams at home on Monday and then have to turnaround on a short week and fly to the East Coast. Poor scheduling.