Trey Sermon had two fewer snaps than he did against Green Bay, but it was clear he was more comfortable and that Shanahan and his assistants trusted him more. Still, the team hasn’t had a true third-down back after JaMycal Hasty went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 2.

For the second straight game, Kyle Juszczyk was the running back of choice on third downs or when the 49ers were in a hurry-up mode. Or the 49ers had a running back split out wide with no one in the backfield in those situations. The last two games have been heavier in three-receiver formations (56 percent of plays) than the first two (32 percent) when the 49ers had their full (or at least fuller) complement of tailbacks.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell

With Mitchell out with a shoulder injury, Sermon ran 19 times for 89 yards on the day. Meanwhile it was Juszczyk who was targeted four times and had four catches for 41 yards. Sermon was targeted once on the day. There will be some workload and role questions in this backfield when Mitchell is able to play again.

49ers TE George Kittle (calf) and Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) are questionable for Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Both players were active on Friday if not practicing. It is safe to say both are capital 'Q' questionable for Week 4. Ross Dwelley would start if Kittle were inactive.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) is doubtful for Week 3, while RB Trey Sermon is out of concussion protocol according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

Other reports have JaMycal Hasty out, so Sermon appears to be the lead back Sunday night against the Packers. Look for Trenton Cannon to be the backup to Sermon.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell was not spotted at the start of practice.

Mitchell missed practice on Wednesday and will need to practice in some fashion on Friday to avoid missing Sunday's contest against the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers signed Jacques Patrick to the 53 man roster and Chris Thompson to the practice squad. Trey Sermon practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday, so he appears to have cleared the league's concussion protocol. If this is the case, he will likely be the Week 3 starter if Mitchell cannot go. Mitchell is currently our 19th ranked running back for Week 3 as Kyle Shanahan has expressed optimism that Mitchell would be able to go on Sunday despite the shoulder injury being more severe than initially hoped. Sermon, Patrick, and Trenton Cannon are currently the only healthy backs on the 49ers roster.

49ers RB JaMycal Hasty (ankle) will miss Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. He also mentioned Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) has a chance to play.

One 49ers RB down, 43 more to go before we have an idea who plays. Trenton Cannon is the only healthy RB that was on the active roster Week 2. Trey Sermon was limited Wednesday as he recovers from a concussion.

The 49ers are signing RB Jacques Patrick off the Bengals practice squad, source said. Big opportunity for the onetime XFL star with injuries depleting the SF backfield.

Related players: JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell

Hasty and Sermon will have a lot of hurdles to clear to play in Week 3 and Mitchell is dealing with a shoulder injury that still has his status up in the air. Even if Mitchell plays, Patrick could be in line for immediate touches. The Niners and Packers play on Sunday night so owners may have to wait this situation out and should have a backup plan.

High ankle sprains for JaMycal Hasty.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon

Hasty will likely miss a few weeks as that's a typical timeframe for high ankle sprains. Nick Wagoner reported it's a shoulder injury for Mitchell who is listed as day-to-day. There is still no update on Sermon who is dealing with a head issue. Adam Schefter reported the team brought in RBs Duke Johnson and Lamar Miller Monday. At this point, it seems like Mitchell has the best shot to play in Week 3 and the team may have to make a move for backups. The 49ers play the Packers on Sunday night so this could be a rough go for fantasy owners waiting out this situation.

49ers' RB attrition is wild. Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty all now hurt. TBD on the Week 3 status of the final three.

What does SF do this week? Depends on health developments, but seems there's a good chance they start with a Kerryon Johnson practice squad call-up.

Sermon, Mitchell and Hasty were all injured in Week 2. Sermon appeared to be dealing with a head injury which could cost him time depending on protocols. Mitchell is dealing with a shoulder injury but the hope is he avoided something major. Meanwhile, Hasty is dealing with an ankle injury. It will be a situation to watch as the week goes on leading to Week 3. One problem for owners is the 9ers play on Sunday night against the Packers, so any game-time decisions will cause a need for backup plans.