5 surprising roster cuts 49ers may make after training camp

49ers surprise roster cut No. 2: Running back Trey Sermon

Remember, we’re talking about surprise cuts here. Not ones that San Francisco is likely to make.

If the 49ers keep four running backs on their 53-man roster, the group would likely include Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson Jr., rookie Tyrion Davis-Price and second-year pro Trey Sermon. That makes the most sense.

Centering on Sermon, who disappointed in year one with just 167 rush yards after the Niners invested a Round 3 pick in him, it’s probably too soon for the team to completely give up on him anyway even if it spent another third-round pick on Davis-Price this year.

And considering how much head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense relies on the ground game, booting someone like Sermon off the roster that quickly would be unwise.

There are, however, depth rushers in serious play here, especially another rookie in undrafted free-agent Jordan Mason, who impressed during offseason workouts and might challenge someone like Sermon for what could be a fourth and final spot on the depth chart.

Shanahan has both let his running backs determine their own roles and hasn’t hesitated to pull the plug on ones who have flamed out, the 2017 rookie Joe Williams is a perfect example.

Parting ways with Sermon would be a bit of a shocker, but it’s not out of play at all.