Sermon will likely serve as the 49ers' top backup running back behind Jeff Wilson in Sunday's game against the Jaguars with Elijah Mitchell (finger) listed as doubtful and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) ruled out for the contest, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Mitchell wasn't able to practice in any capacity this week after undergoing surgery Tuesday to address a fractured finger on his right hand, so his expected absence should clear the way for Wilson to start and serve as San Francisco's lead back. Though Sermon, a rookie third-round pick, was expected to challenge for that role this season, he hasn't been able to gain much traction in the running attack even after Raheem Mostert (knee) suffered a season-ending injury Week 1. Sermon hasn't played an offensive snap since Week 5, but the depleted state of the San Francisco backfield should be enough for him to step in as the No. 2 option this week, as the only other back on the roster (Trenton Cannon) has been treated almost exclusively as a special-teams player. Since Sermon hasn't shown much aptitude as a receiver either, Shahanan might not be inclined to rely on the rookie for the passing-down role that belonged to Hasty. Instead, the 49ers could lean on Wilson as a three-down workhorse, with Sermon subbing in mainly on early downs when the starter requires a breather.