Sermon (concussion) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Sermon came out of Week 2 with a concussion, but head coach Kyle Shanahan noted Wednesday that the rookie third-round pick was "trending in a good direction" as he practiced in a blue non-contact jersey, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The 49ers already have one running back out for the season [Raheem Mostert (knee)] and another dealing with a high-ankle sprain (JaMycal Hasty). Meanwhile, fellow rookie sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell is tending to a shoulder injury that Shanahan described as "worse than a stinger," according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Sermon will need to pass all five phases of the protocol for head injuries to suit up Sunday night against the Packers, but with so many unknowns in San Francisco's backfield it's unclear how the snaps and carries will break down at the position. Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the only other backs on the 49ers' active roster, while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.