49ers roster: 4 players who need more snaps in second half of 2021

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San Francisco 49ers running back Trey Sermon (28) Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Running Back Trey Sermon

While Elijah Mitchell, a fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft has become a solid starter for the 49ers with the injury to Raheem Mostert, a running back drafted ahead of him has barely seen the field.

Running back Trey Sermon was selected by the 49ers in the third round (88th overall) and he looked to have a big role in the offense.

Sermon, however, was a healthy scratch in Week 1, and only got one carry for 8 yards in Week 2.

Sermon got his first start in Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers rushing 10 times for 31 yards, due to an injury to Michell. He started again the following week against the Seattle Seahawks rushing 19 times for 89 yards. That equated to 4.68 yards per attempt, which is a great average.

From Week 5 onwards, though, Mitchell was back as the starter. The plot thickened as Mitchell broke his finger after the Rams game and had surgery on it.

He is currently questionable for Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Jeff Wilson Jr. got the backup duties against the Rams, if Mitchell is out against the Jaguars, Sermon should get the start.

Sermon was a fairly high draft pick as Ambry Thomas was, and he should be given more carries going forward. If Mitchell is out Sermon should get the start, however, if Mitchell gets the start Sermon should still be given a healthy backup workload in the game.

That additional experience is again necessary should Mitchell and Sermon be the future at running back for the 49ers.