49ers biggest winners, losers from first week of 2021 OTAs
By Peter Panacy
Winner: 49ers RB Trey Sermon
It wasn’t quite clear exactly what rookie running back Trey Sermon’s immediate role was going to be, especially considering San Francisco was already well stockpiled at the position entering 2021.
But after running back Jeff Wilson Jr. suffered a serious knee injury, followed by news he’ll be out four to six months while recovering (more on that later), the opportunity for Sermon to climb a stacked depth chart is getting better.
Related Story: Jeff Wilson Jr. injury opens up bigger door for Trey Sermon
Sermon appears to be taking advantage of this, too, according to Grant Cohn’s analysis of one practice session:
"Had the longest run of the day. It was an outside zone run to his right. Sermon burst through the line and then cut back all the way across the field to gain 30 yards. His acceleration and balance are eye-popping."
Right now, it looks as if Sermon could be the favorite to split primary duties with the 49ers’ top running back, Raheem Mostert, and one could figure Kyle Shanahan ends up starting Sermon while giving the chunk-play opportunities to Mostert late in games, which was the case the last two years with former running back Tevin Coleman.
Not a bad spot to be in for the Niners’ Round 3 NFL Draft pick.