49ers vs. Chargers: 5 players who need a strong game to stay on roster
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Running Back Wayne Gallman
Similar to Jonas Griffith, veteran running back Wayne Gallman might be in a situation where he performs well during the preseason but ultimately falls victim to the numbers game at his position.
The Niners aren’t likely to keep five halfbacks on the regular-season roster, and runners Raheem Mostert and Trey Sermon are guaranteed spots, leaving Gallman in a wide-open competition with second-year pro JaMycal Hasty for one of two remaining slots available.
Gallman was effective enough on six carries against the Chiefs, rushing for a total of 21 yards while also adding one catch for 4 yards. Plus, his quality fill-in efforts for the New York Giants in the wake of their star running back, Saquon Barkley, going down with an injury can’t be overlooked either.
Hasty led all San Francisco rushers with 63 yards and a touchdown, though. And when one factors in the rookie, Elijah Mitchell, it’s not hard to see how crowded this group is becoming.
Mitchell is likely to miss the rest of the preseason with a hip injury, and he’s also on the fringes of the roster. Yet Mitchell was reportedly one of the noticeable stars during training camp before getting hurt, and it’s feasible Kyle Shanahan is eyeing him over a player like Gallman.
Depending on Mitchell’s health, someone between the trio of him, Hasty and Gallman will have to go.