49ers vs. Chargers: 3 players not named Trey Lance to watch

No. 1: 49ers Running Back Trey Sermon

Another rookie on the Niners’ preseason Week 2 watch list shouldn’t be too big a surprise, but there are pretty clear reasons why running back Trey Sermon should be a focal point at Los Angeles.

Preseason stats don’t typically matter much, but the Chargers’ attempts to limit the Rams on the ground last weekend were solid enough, as the Bolts’ inter-stadium rivals were held to just 73 rush yards and averaged a mere 3 yards per carry.

San Francisco 49ers

This is a good opportunity for Sermon, who only averaged 2.9 yards per rush on nine attempts versus the Chiefs, to further cement himself as a key weapon in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Shanahan continue to rest his primary running back, Raheem Mostert, during the game. And with fellow rookie running back Elijah Mitchell banged up with a hip injury and likely out for the rest of the preseason, there should be plenty of chances for Sermon to have some of those splash plays he displayed last year during Ohio State‘s run up through the playoffs.

Sermon, San Francisco’s third-round pick from the draft, doesn’t need to have an incredible excess of carries.

No, what would be satisfying enough would be one of those long, impressive runs where he could essentially inform the rest of the league what he’s capable of doing on the field when he gets the ball in his hands.

The 49ers and Chargers kick off on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET.