Running back Trey Sermon, a former third-round draft selection by the San Francisco 49ers, has once again encountered a significant career hurdle. Just over a week after joining the Atlanta Falcons, Sermon was placed on the injured reserve list on August 19, with the team declining to specify the nature or extent of his injury. This incident adds another chapter to Sermon's challenging professional journey, which has seen him transition between numerous NFL franchises since his initial draft in 2021.
Sermon's NFL career began with high expectations after the San Francisco 49ers made a substantial move to secure him in the 2021 draft. They traded two fourth-round picks to the Los Angeles Rams to move up and select him at No. 88 overall. This aggressive acquisition underscored the 49ers' belief in his potential, particularly given his impressive collegiate performance at Ohio State, highlighted by a 331-yard rushing game in the 2020 Big Ten Championship. His physical, one-cut running style was thought to be an ideal fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme.
However, Sermon's tenure with the 49ers proved to be brief and less impactful than anticipated. In his rookie season, he played in nine games, starting two, accumulating 167 rushing yards and one touchdown on 41 carries, along with three receptions for 26 yards. An ankle injury sidelined him late in that season, and by August of the following year, he was waived by the 49ers. He was subsequently claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles, marking the beginning of his journeyman status in the league.
Following his departure from San Francisco, Sermon moved through the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers before signing with the Atlanta Falcons on August 10. For the Marietta, Georgia native, joining the Falcons represented a geographical homecoming and another opportunity to compete for a spot in an NFL backfield. Unfortunately, this latest endeavor was cut short after only nine days due to his placement on injured reserve. Throughout his career, Sermon has amassed 505 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 134 carries, with his most significant contributions coming during his 31 games with the Indianapolis Colts across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The timing of this injury is particularly disadvantageous for Sermon, as NFL teams are in the critical phase of reducing their rosters to 53 players by August 30. The remaining preseason practices and games are crucial for players vying for backup roles, and this setback undoubtedly complicates his path forward. Interestingly, five drafts after investing heavily in Sermon, the 49ers again selected a running back in the third round, Kaelon Black from Indiana, in the 2026 draft, hoping for a different outcome. Sermon's ongoing challenges serve as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of professional football and how quickly opportunities can arise and vanish in the league.
