Sermon was a third round pick for the 49ers in 2021 and followed a familiar trajectory for a 49ers reserve runner, dealing with injuries and ultimately falling out of favor as the team quickly cycled through options.
Sermon will join the Falcons hoping to battle Nate Carter, Cash Jones, and Tyler Goodson for the team’s third back role behind Bijan and Brian Robinson. With Bijan unlikely to play much during preseason and Brian pretty locked in to his role, expect all four backs to get plenty of run in the first week of preseason and (if they all stick around) over the coming weeks as well. He wound up on the Eagles in his second season, spent two years with the Colts, and signed with the Steelers last season and now has 505 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to go with 22 receptions for 138 yards.
With a good line—and the Falcons should once again have one—Sermon’s physicality and speed can make him a fun reserve back, especially because he can catch the ball and block when called upon. To this point in his NFL career, the production has been underwhelming and he’s struggled to find a home, but there is no locked-in third back in Atlanta and he should get a fair shot to show the role is his. With Cash Jones providing a lot of utility as a receiver and special teamer in camp, Carter having that intriguing breakaway speed, and Goodson doing a bit of everything well, though, Sermon will have to be sharp to get that chance.
Give him a warm welcome, and we may see him as soon as Friday night.
