NFL Player News

GM John Lynch said Sermon (concussion) is trending in the right direction after practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday, though the running back remains in the concussion protocol, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Sermon suffered the concussion during the Week 2 win over the Eagles, but his quick return to practice indicates that he's advancing through the necessary protocols. If cleared to play, the rookie third-round pick could be in line for an increased role Sunday against the Packers because Elijah Mitchell's status is in question due to a shoulder injury. Sermon was a healthy scratch in the season opener, but opportunities have quickly been presented with Raheem Mostert (knee) out for the season and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) facing a multi-week absence.

GM John Lynch said Friday that Mitchell's (shoulder) availability for Sunday's game against the Packers is "very questionable," David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.

Mitchell sat out Wednesday's and Thursday's practice sessions due to the shoulder injury, and he may not be available for Sunday's matchup with Green Bay. It's unclear if the 23-year-old will be able to practice in any capacity Friday, and his participation during that session could dictate whether or not he'll have a chance to play heading into the weekend.

Gibson (shoulder) was estimated as a full participant for Friday's practice and is expected to play Sunday at Buffalo, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

The 23-year-old was a limited participant at practice to start the week, but he should be able to avoid an injury designation for Sunday after being listed with no limitations the past two days. Gibson has 33 carries for 159 yards and five catches for 22 yards through the first two games of the season, and he's still looking for his first touchdown after notching 11 scores in 2020.

Freeman rushed five times for 17 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Freeman hardly saw the field on offense in his first two games with the Panthers, but after superstar tailback Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) exited in the second quarter Thursday, Carolina's recent signing suddenly was forced into the fray. Although Freeman saw fewer opportunities than rookie fourth-rounder Chuba Hubbard, who finished with 79 scrimmage yards on 14 touches, he still had some opportunities, including on an unsuccessful one-yard touchdown leap in the fourth quarter. Should McCaffrey be sidelined or limited in Week 4's matchup versus the Cowboys, Freeman would again figure to help Hubbard fill the void, bringing his fantasy stock to life as he now embarks on an extended preparation period prior to that contest.

Hubbard rushed 11 times for 52 yards and caught three of five targets for 27 yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Hubbard was forced into extended action after superstar Christian McCaffrey exited during the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Although the rookie fourth-rounder promptly proceeded to drop a pass and get stuffed on a fourth-and-one attempt -- and later dropped a would-be touchdown in the second half -- Hubbard still racked up commendable yardage on short notice. Obviously, McCaffrey's status should be paramount to monitor ahead of the Week 4 matchup versus the Cowboys, but if he's sidelined or slowed, Hubbard and recent veteran signee Royce Freeman would figure to have their roles expanded, with Thursday showing that the first-year tailback is preferred as the primary option in McCaffrey's absence.

Head coach Matt Rhule said that McCaffrey will undergo an MRI on his hamstring following Thursday's 24-9 win over the Texans, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Rhule didn't have provide an estimate on the severity of McCaffrey's injury, as he'll defer until the MRI results are available. The Panthers have 10 days until their Week 4 clash against the Cowboys. Their offense takes a significant hit when McCaffrey is off the field, but rookie Chuba Hubbard and Royce Freeman will attempt to fill the void if he's forced to miss time.

McCaffrey won't return to Thursday's game against the Texans due to a hamstring injury, Bill Voth of the Panthers' official site reports.

McCaffrey suffered this injury on a run early in the second quarter. It's unclear how severe his injury is. McCaffrey posted 31 yards on seven rushes and nine yards on two receptions (two targets) before leaving. Rookie running back Chuba Hubbard and, to a lesser extent, Royce Freeman should handle the backfield reps as long as McCaffrey is out.

Penny (calf) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Since coach Pete Carroll told Brady Henderson of ESPN.com on Wednesday that Penny was unlikely to play Sunday in Minnesota, the running back hasn't logged any activity on the practice field this week. Penny has another chance to get in some reps Friday, but if he doesn't he may be destined for a second DNP in a row since straining his calf Week 1.

Sermon (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

For a second straight session, Sermon had a cap on his reps as he wore a blue non-contact jersey due to the concussion he sustained this past Sunday in Philadelphia, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. Sermon will have to complete the NFL's protocol for head injuries to make himself available Week 3 against the Packers, but he appears to be the best bet of the 49ers' regular running backs to be active Sunday. With Raheem Mostert (knee) on IR, JaMycal Hasty out several weeks due to a high ankle sprain, and Elijah Mitchell working his way through a shoulder stinger, Sermon may be in line for his first career start this weekend. Sermon and the other three aside, San Francisco has emergency options lined up in Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick -- both are on the active roster -- while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.

Mitchell (shoulder) didn't practice Thursday, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Mitchell has yet to get on the field this week due to a shoulder injury suffered Week 2. Coach Kyle Shanahan called the issue "a little worse than a stinger," but the running back still "has a chance to go Sunday" versus the Packers, per David Lombardi of The Athletic. It stands to wonder if Mitchell will need to practice in some capacity Friday to do so, but the 49ers are prepared to roll out a reconfigured backfield with Raheem Mostert (knee) on injured reserve and JaMycal Hasty out for multiple games due to a high ankle sprain. Fellow rookie RB Trey Sermon (concussion) has put together back-to-back limited sessions and seems like the best bet of the regulars to play in Week 3. That quartet aside, Trenton Cannon and Jacques Patrick are the healthy options on the active roster, while Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson reside on the practice squad.