4 biggest questions 49ers have after 2021 OTAs
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: How do 49ers determine running back pecking order?
On one hand, there’s a benefit to two of the Niners’ veteran running backs dealing with injuries so early in the offseason.
Starting running back Raheem Mostert missed the bulk of OTAs with a minor knee injury, so San Francisco held him out of practices to keep him fresh. But losing Jeff Wilson Jr. four to six months with a meniscus tear was a bad blow, and his presence on the field will be missed.
Despite these setbacks, the situation did allow for some of the other runners to showcase their talents. Rookie running back Trey Sermon saw a lot of time with the first-team unit, while another rookie, Elijah Mitchell, turned some heads with the second stringers. Even second-year pro JaMycal Hasty, who suffered a torn ACL late in 2020, managed to get some touches, too.
Related Story: Jeff Wilson injury opens up a bigger door for Trey Sermon
Somewhat lost in the discussion, though, was one of the 49ers’ offseason free-agent pickups, running back Wayne Gallman, who didn’t appear on too many of the team’s media reports. And that could be either a good or bad thing, depending on his performances.
One thing is clear, though: Kyle Shanahan has historically let his rushers determine their own roles during the offseason and into training camp.
From the early looks of it, Sermon is in line for a big role. But it’s tough to gauge how he’ll fit in with Mostert. And exactly how the Niners absorb Wilson’s absence, likely the first half of the regular season, is yet to be determined, too.
More of Gallman? Mitchell and/or Hasty worked into the equation?
It’s anyone’s guess right now.