49ers have options in backfield
Rookie Sermon an intriguing talent after SF lost rusher Wilson to torn meniscus
Jeff Wilson is the first major casualty of the 49ers’ offseason program, jumbling a still-deep stable of running backs.
He underwent knee surgery last Friday for a “substantial” meniscus tear, which occurred after practice as he rose from a seat in the locker room while talking with teammates.
This could keep last season’s team-leading rusher out into November, as he’s expected to start the season on the physically unable to perform list, thus ruling him out the first six weeks.
“We’re excited about Jeff and his prospects for this season, with the timeline that we’ve been given, it looks like a PUP situation,” general manager John Lynch said Wednesday on a conference call.
A league source called Wilson’s six-month recovery a “worst-case scenario” and that “we’ve got to see how he responds.”
How do the 49ers respond?
“He’s such an aggressive runner, he’s a big body who likes to run through people. But he still has finesse to his game, which is awesome to see. He’s a guy that runs downhill, and I love that in this offense.” – George Kittle, 49ers tight end, on rookie running back Trey Sermon.
They’ve got options. Lots of them.
“We still have five halfbacks and two fullbacks, so that’s a healthy complement,” Lynch said.
For starters, literally, Raheem Mostert looked healthy, fast and determined at Tuesday’s practice. He’s recovered from last year’s high ankle injuries and is entering the final year of his contract.
Next on the depth chart? Experience-wise, it would be Wayne Gallman Jr., a fifth-year veteran and the New York Giants’ default leading rusher last season after Saquan Barkley sustained a Week 2 knee injury.
The more intriguing rusher is Trey Sermon. The 49ers traded up (with the rival Los Angeles Rams) to take Sermon in the third round (No. 88 overall) out of Ohio State, by way of Oklahoma.
“I’m a huge fan of Trey,
just watching him in the playoffs or Big Ten championship game, just to see him,” tight end George Kittle said Tuesday. “He’s such an aggressive runner, he’s a big body who likes to run through people. But he still has finesse to his game, which is awesome to see.
“He’s a guy that runs downhill, and I love that in this offense.”
In Tuesday’s organized team activities, Sermon carried twice in a threeplay span in 11-on-11 drills, taking handoffs from both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. There’s no contact allowed but it looked like Sermon was seeking some as he weaved through defenders.
Fellow rookie Elijah Mitchell (sixth round) also ran after a Lance handoff in full-team action, and Mitchell showed strong receiving ability in the recent rookie minicamp.
“We didn’t intend on taking a back there. He was just there, and glad that we did,” Lynch said of Mitchell. “I’m glad he was there because this helps insulate us.”
“Elijah has been great, seeing the routes and him running the rock, he looks good, too,” Kittle added. “I’m excited about our running back room, because that’s a crowded room, too, and when it’s crowded, it breeds competition, which is what it’s all about.”
Overlooked in that group is JaMycal Hasty. He flashed last season as an undrafted rookie before a collarbone fracture in November at New Orleans. Tuesday, he caught Lance’s first and third passes of 7-on-7 action, then sped upfield.
The 49ers can handle missing Wilson these next few months. His agent declined to reveal the extent of Wilson’s injury or upcoming rehabilitation, and the 49ers have yet to announce anything on Wilson, who’ll likely start training camp on the physically unable to
perform list.
Former NFL team doctor David Chao fears that Wilson could be lost for the season.
A week ago, Wilson strutted in for Phase 2 of the offseason program, wearing a shirt resembling that of a U.S. Postal Service worker and reminding us all how he delivers when giving opportunities. He’s done so many times in recent years, such as catching a touchdown pass to beat Arizona in 2019 or running for a three-touchdown hat trick last season at New England.
Wilson was the 49ers’ leading rusher amid last year’s carnage, rushing for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. In January, the 49ers signed him to a oneyear, $2.05 million guaranteed contract. This is not how he wanted to start another contract year. But he still could finish it well.
“This is devastating for him,” Lynch said. “He was in the locker room, sitting down talking to teammates, he got up and felt a pop in his knee and kind of got stuck.
… I don’t call it a freak injury. Freak circumstances.
“He was in great shape and was looking outstanding. It’s a speed bump for him. His mindshift has already shifted to recovery.”
As for the 49ers’ other rehabilitating players, Lynch noted that all are doing well and anticipated to participate in camp, including defensive ends Nick Bosa (knee) and Dee Ford (back), wide receiver Jalen Hurd (knee), linebacker Nathan Gerry (knee) and safeties Jaquiski Tartt (2020 toe surgery) and Marcell Harris (unknown ailment).
• Lynch opened his call by acknowledging Wednesday’s mass shooting at a San Jose transit yard that left nine people dead: “First of all, it’s where my heart and mind are right now so I want to let everyone know — we put a (team) statement out — but terribly saddened what happened down in San Jose. It’s happening far too much. Our hearts, our thoughts, our prayers are with all the families and everyone involved there.”