5 red-hot questions 49ers must answer at training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: What will 49ers running back roles be?
In the past, Kyle Shanahan has effectively let his running backs determine their own roles in training camp.
While a number of the names have changed, that’ll probably be the same tactic again.
The big story, of course, will be seeing who takes over as the primary rusher in 2021, not necessarily the starter, between Raheem Mostert and the third-round rookie, Trey Sermon.
Mostert, 29 years old, is coming off a 2020 campaign in which injuries limited him to just eight games played. Even with his home-run speed, it’s not likely the Niners want to place him in a heavy-use featured role, meaning Sermon is probably going to see a lot of action early.
Yet the depth can be just as critical, too.
With Jeff Wilson Jr. sidelined into the middle of the season with a meniscus tear, San Francisco has three other rushers — Wayne Gallman, JaMycal Hasty and another rookie, Elijah Mitchell — all vying for their own roles.
And probably fighting for two spots on the 53-man roster, too.
It’s likely San Francisco is going to be forced to bid farewell to a talented rusher after training camp, making this a key position battle to watch between now and Week 1.