Kyle Shanahan also hopes that Elijah Mitchell will be able to take the blue no-contact jersey off this week. A speedy RB would be another welcome return for the 49ers.

Related players: Trey Sermon

Sermon has been OK over the last two weeks but the feeling is he didn't take control of the RB1 job. At this point, if anything, the 49ers could really use Mitchell on third down or passing downs. It may take a week or so to figure out how the workload will be split up when Mitchell returns with Sermon, but it looks like Mitchell could be back on track for Week 5. The Niners do have a bye in Week 6.

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 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.

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.

49ers running back Trey Sermon is being evaluated for a head injury.

Sermon suffered the injury after his first carry in the fourth quarter that resulted in a fumble. He was able to walk off on his own power. Elijah Mitchell did return for the 49ers, fortunately.

49ers RB Trey Sermon will be active for Week 2 at the Philadelphia Eagles according to Matt Barrows The Athletic. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said there was "an 'extra aggressiveness' from Sermon in practice this week in response to game day status against the Lions," according to Barrows.

Related Players: JaMycal Hasty, Elijah Mitchell

Sermon's workload is unknown but it is clear that three running backs could see work for the 49ers. Shanahanigans!

And with RB Raheem Mostert announcing today that he is out for the season with a knee injury he sustained vs. Detroit, the 49ers now are signing former Lions’ RB Kerryon Johnson to their practice squad, per his agent

Related players: Elijah Mitchell Trey Sermon, JaMycal Hasty

The news of Mostert now being out for the season is a huge blow to fantasy teams who took their shot he would be the team's RB1. After Mostert went out, it was Mitchell who carried 19 times for over 100 yards and a score. For now, he's the presumed starter as both he and Hasty beat out Sermon in camp, according to Kyle Shanahan. Sermon should still be owned and has draft capital in his favor, but he may not have much of a role in the short term. For now it looks like it's going to be Mitchell's job.

49ers RB Raheem Mostert has chipped cartilage in his knee.

Related players: Elijah Mitchell, JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon

Well that didn't take long. The injuries at RB for the 49ers continue. Mostert will go on IR and HC Kyle Shanahan said expectation is about eight weeks for Mostert to return according to Wagoner. Mike Clay would tweet that the pecking order for RBs right now is Mitchell, Hasty and Sermon, and you can expect Sermon to be active against the Eagles in Week 2. As we posted earlier today, Sermon was simply beat out by Mitchell and Hasty in camp according to Shanahan. It's been no secret the team has loved Mitchell who was selected in the later rounds, but Sermon is the back with the highest draft capital. Sermon is a very risky start until we see him make a move up the depth chart, so for now it's Mitchell.