Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Trey Sermon was a third-round pick in April's draft. However, the San Francisco 49ers' sixth-round pick, Elijah Mitchell, is the team's starting running back and leading rusher.
Sermon had 10 carries during Sunday's 30-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before that, his last carry came in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Sermon moved up the depth chart because Mitchell was inactive due to rib and finger injuries.
Kyle Shanahan insists that Sermon is showing improvement. On Monday, one day after the team's Week 11 win, the 49ers coach spoke with reporters and discussed the developing rookie running back.
"I think he's better now than when he was given the last opportunity," Shanahan said of Sermon. "I know I get these questions about Trey a lot. He's been doing it each week. He's been earning stuff and improving each week, but there is a pecking order with backs. You can only give so many guys the ball.
"Elijah has kind of solidified himself as our starter this year. Jeff Wilson has done it since he's been here. And [JaMycal Hasty] being on the bench, and then Elijah getting hurt this week, opened up an opportunity for him to get some reps again. And I thought he came in and showed what he's been showing in practice. He's been getting better, and I thought he did a good job helping us win on Sunday."
Sermon has recorded 167 rushing yards and a touchdown on 41 carries through eight game appearances and two starts this season.
As for Mitchell, his status is considered day-to-day. The coach won't commit to his availability this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I'm not going to guess [on] this week," Shanahan said. "I know he couldn't go today, so we'll see how he is on Wednesday and just take it day by day."
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall improving each week
By David Bonilla
Oct 29
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is pleased with the progress of first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall. The rookie wide receiver made his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, a significant achievement considering it was just seven weeks after being...
Baldy offers honest assessment of 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan in season's first half
By David Bonilla
4 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers are not where they wanted to be after starting the season with lofty Super Bowl aspirations. Exiting their bye week with a 4-4 record, the team faces a challenging slate of games ahead. This weekend, they aim to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond...
How 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan's kids crushed his Halloween hopes
By David Bonilla
Oct 31
It's Halloween, and kids everywhere will be trick-or-treating tonight, many accompanied by their parents. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wishes he could be among those parents. Sadly, he won't be, and it's not because of his busy football schedule. With the 49ers...
49ers Notebook: George Kittle keeps climbing the record book; Players have mixed excitement over bye week; Trey Lance says hello
By Kirk Larrabee
Oct 28
Sunday night brought a much-needed win for the San Francisco 49ers, who now head into the second half of the season with some momentum after losing four of their previous six games.
For a moment, the game looked like it could possibly turn into the third time this season the...