The San Francisco 49ers traded for Emmanuel Sanders on Tuesday, and it was a certainty that the veteran receiver would not be wearing the number 10 jersey he sported in his five-and-a-half seasons with the Denver Broncos.
That number belongs to the 49ers' highest-paid player, franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Instead, Sanders will wear number 17 on his jersey with his new team, the team announced on Wednesday. That number was owned by rookie receiver Jalen Hurd, who is switching to number 14. He is on injured reserve.
New number for the newest Niner. pic.twitter.com/eeVVeJf7xp
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 23, 2019
"I wore 17 in college," Sanders explained on Wednesday. "I had to pay (Hurd) for that, but it's all good. It was worth it. I'm excited to wear number 17 again."
Sanders, 32, is in his 10th NFL season and immediately became the 49ers' most experienced receiver. He has amassed 367 receiving yards with the Broncos this season to go along with his two touchdowns. Sanders' receiving yards total is more than that of any other 49ers receiver this season and would rank second on the team only to tight end George Kittle, who has racked up 376 yards.
San Francisco's two leading wideouts, Marquise Goodwin and Deebo Samuel, don't even combine (349) to match Sanders' receiving yards total this season.
"Emmanuel is a passionate football player whose toughness and competitive nature have helped him become a dynamic playmaker in this league," general manager John Lynch said Tuesday via a statement issued by the 49ers. "He possesses a number of qualities, on and off the field, that we value in our players. His familiarity in a similar offensive system will allow for a quick transition. We are excited to add Emmanuel to our roster and look forward to seeing him positively impact our team."
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