Report: Sanu gets one-year deal to bolster Niners’ injury-plagued wide receiver corps
SANTA CLARA >> Mohamed Sanu is the 49ers’ newest wide receiver, rushing to rescue an injury-laden unit that was unproductive in Sunday’s season-opening loss.
Sanu, 31, agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday, his agent, Mike McCartney announced.
Once Sanu passes COVID-19 tests and joins the defending NFC champions, he will bring a veteran presence. Through eight seasons, he’s totaled 92 starts in stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots.
The 49ers were among Sanu’s suitors before he was dealt to the Patriots last October for a second-round pick, and the 49ers traded instead for Emmanuel Sanders, who provided an immediate upgrade in their
Super Bowl run. Sanu was released by the Patriots two weeks ago.
“I have a lot of respect for Mo. But ultimately, things just didn’t work out,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said then.
Sanu (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) reunites with coach Kyle Shanahan, having played in his offensive system when the 2016 Atlanta Falcons reached the Super Bowl. The 49ers did not immediately confirm his deal.
Sanu spoke about it with former ESPN reporter Josina Anderson, who Tweeted about their conversation: “Jo, it happened so quick. I’m on the plane now. Got to have the rest of my clothes sent. Kyle, said it’ll be awesome to have me, so I feel welcomed.”
Sanu is six months removed from ankle surgery, and that makes him healthier than several 49ers receivers, including Deebo Samuel (injured reserve through at least Week 3) and Richie James Jr. (hamstring injury Sunday). Brandon Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick, was inactive in Sunday’s 24-20 loss because of an Aug. 23 hamstring injury but is expected to make his debut Sunday when the 49ers visit the New York Jets.
“We’ll see how these injuries go, but I love Sanu,” Shanahan said Monday. “He’s a hell of a player, so him being out there is always a possibility. We’ll look into everything that we have, though. We’ve got to know our numbers are going to be up this week, which we don’t have that settled yet, but I wouldn’t rule that out at all. He’s available and he’s definitely a guy I really respect and I think everyone in this league respects.”
Sanu has 403 career receptions, including 26 for touchdowns. He’s also rushed for two touchdowns and passed for four. An ankle injury last season limited his Patriots productivity to 26 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. He had just an 11-yard catch as the Patriots lost their playoff opener.
In Sunday’s 49ers loss to the Cardinals, Kendrick Bourne (two catches) and Dante Pettis (none) started while Trent Taylor and Richie James served as the backups.
TEAM INVESTIGATING RACIST MESSAGE TARGETING CARDINALS PLAYER >> The San Francisco 49ers are denouncing a series of racist messages sent from an apparent fan of the team to Cardinals safety Budda Baker during Sunday’s game. The Niners announced that they are investigating the situation to
identify the fan, who will be banned from all team games and events.
Baker tweeted a screenshot of the message Monday afternoon, saying “Im all good with opposing fans talking trash. But This right here man… All you can do is pray for ppl like this.”
The messages used racial slurs and invoked slave imagery.
“Incidents like this demonstrate how much work remains to be done to address racism and hate in our society,” the 49ers’ statement read. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to that work.”
“Sadly, these incidents occur far too often,” team CEO Jed York posted on Twitter. “Permitting these individuals to go unchecked allows racism and hate to spread. I urge other teams in the world of sport to consider our policy of banning those who seek to tear others down with racial slurs and threats of violence.”
The message accused Baker of trying to “go after the knees” after his hit on a leaping George Kittle forced the 49ers’ star tight end to head to the locker room before halftime. No penalty was called on the play and Baker’s hit was a textbook-style tackle, but with Kittle just landing after jumping for a pass, his knee appeared to hyperextend.