The 49ers have started three running backs through six weeks, and the organization is hoping they’ll be adding another option at the position before long. 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that running back Jeff Wilson should be back from a knee injury before the end of the season.
“It’s not in the next couple weeks, but kind of beyond that,” Lynch said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on Twitter). “He’s doing really well. He’s had some real positive breakthroughs in the last couple of weeks in his recovery.”
Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes that Wilson is only a few weeks away from practicing, with the organization targeting a late-November return.
Wilson had a breakout campaign in 2020, finishing with 733 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns in 12 games (three starts). The running back landed on injured reserve prior to the 2021 season, and his timeline has since been pushed back a bit. Per Maiocco (on Twitter), Wilson was initially expected to return around midseason, but now it sounds like he’s eyeing a late-season return.
Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, and Elijah Mitchell have all seen stints as the 49ers starting running back this season, and none of those players have been in uniform for all six games. Mitchell currently leads the running back corps with 63 carries.
elijah is clearly the #1 right now. hasty and sermon fill in as needed
Yes – not sure what they don’t see in Sermon. I mean, they are smarter than me obviously as it relates to football but man that guy is talented. Maybe it’s a commitment issue … not sure.
I kind of wonder if it’s like Cam Akers last year, Akers didn’t take over till the last 1/3 of the year and he was lights out. Maybe it’s a playbook challenge , who knows.
Sermon kinda disappointed at OU thats why he transferred. Then didnt do much at ohio state till a great what 3 game run?
With some rookies it’s as simple as pass protection. Picking up the blitz. I know Mitchell is a rookie as well, but if you look at Zeke’s first year even with his talent he didn’t play on third down because of pass protection. Different head coaches in college but same basic system, it might just take a year for them to adjust to that in the pros. Also, when he’s been healthy, Mitchell has been really good.