49ers roster: 3 players who are already in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse in 2021

No. 2: 49ers Running Back Trey Sermon

Another player who has had his share of gameday scratches is rookie running back Trey Sermon.

Unlike Banks, Sermon has actually had the chance to play in a handful of games and even got to start in a couple. The issue with Sermon, though, is his appearances have mostly been due to the slew of injuries the 49ers have experienced at the position so far this year.

The media world was shocked when Sermon was a healthy scratch for the Niners’ Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, and fellow rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell was given the backup duties to now-injured starting running back Raheem Mostert.

Sermon actually caught a stroke of luck as Mitchell was injured in his first game as the starter, which ultimately forced the Niners to take a look at Sermon. Sermon failed to impress in his first start against the Green Bay Packers, registering 10 rushes for a total of 31 yards and a touchdown.

He followed this up with a decent display versus the Seattle Seahawks when he produced 89 rushing yards on 19 carries, which gave some Niners fans hope Sermon would hopefully come into his own and show everyone why San Francisco traded two fourth-round picks to move up in the 2021 draft and select him at the tail of the third round.

These dreams came to a crashing halt in Mitchell’s first game back from injury, as the 49ers’ other rookie took back the reigns to the starting role and out-touched Sermon nine carries to one.

Yes, you read that correctly, Sermon had only one carry in the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Sermon is undoubtedly in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse, and the Niners head coach has to unquestionably regret his selection of Sermon in this year’s draft. It’s hard to blame Shanahan, as Sermon seems to be the wrong player for the Niners’ rushing system.

Though talented, Sermon is a better complimentary bruising back than an elusive rusher whom the Niners are so keen on leading their rushing attack.

Mitchell has probably supplanted himself as San Francisco’s leading running back for the rest of the year, as Sermon will have to work wonders to find himself back in Shanahan’s good graces.

Hopefully, Sermon can turn things around for himself, because he may be on his way out in the next year.