Playing for a winner makes Sanders happy
SANTA CLARA >> Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders’ first day as a 49er added fuel to not only the offense but the franchise’s positive energy, and it could lead to Sanders making his third Super Bowl with his third franchise.
“I’ve got two more years left or three more years left playing football and trying to win a championship,” the 32-yearold Sanders said. “They have a young locker room over there (with the Denver Broncos). We made the decision if a trade comes about, (John Elway) would keep me posted and possibly trade me.”
Tuesday came the trade, for a thirdand fourth-round draft pick to Denver while the 49ers got a 10th-year veteran with playoff credentials, as well as a 2020 fifth-round pick.
Sanders will wear No. 17, which he gladly bought off rookie Jalen Hurd, who wore it in the first two exhibitions.
Sanders previously wore No. 17 in college at Southern Methodist. He wore No. 10 with the Denver Broncos, but that number is taken by his quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. Sanders donned No. 88 in his initial four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that has been tight end Garrett Celek’s property since his 2012 arrival on the 49ers.
Coach Kyle Shanahan called it a “cram job” to get Sanders up to speed in the 49ers offense, starting with Wednesday’s practice and leading to his 49ers debut Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Sanders arrived in Santa Clara about 9 p.m. Tuesday, studied the iPad playbook until about 11:30, got up for his physical at 5 a.m. and soon after began meeting his teammates.
Because the Broncos installed a similar offense this year under new coordinator and former 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, Sanders said “90 percent” looks the same but he must learn “10 percent” of the terminology and verbiage.
Shanahan declined to say which wide receiver’s playing time will diminish. Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin, the incumbent starters, led the receiver drills to start Wednesday’s practice while Sanders ran the anchor leg.
Sanders’ deal expires at the end of this season, and the 49ers, who will cover his remaining $6 million in salary, would like to re-sign him, Shanahan said.
Sanders said playing for a contender will be a driving factor: “Yeah, the money’s good, I’ve made my fair share, but it’s about happiness, it’s about, ‘Is it worth it?’ If I’m just playing for money and we’re talking longevity of life, it’s not worth it. I love playing football, I love being happy and I love winning.”
• Joining Sanders on the practice field was left tackle Joe Staley, who did offensive-line drills for the first time since his Sept. 15 hairline fracture in his left fibula.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (groin) and nose tackle D.J. Jones (hamstring) returned after sitting out last week and Sunday’s game. On a side field, fullback Kyle Juszczyk (knee), cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (foot) and tight end Garrett Celek (back) did rehab work. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) remained out of practice, too.