Emmanuel Sanders was one of several San Francisco 49ers players to leave Monday night's game with an injury. The wide receiver left the game due to a rib injury with 8:20 remaining in the first half and did not return.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game that Sanders would undergo an MRI, and on Tuesday afternoon said via a conference call that his receiver is day-to-day and will be a game-time decision for the team's game on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
It's good news that Sanders' injury doesn't seem to be a long-term concern. Shanahan clarified that it's a rib cartilage issue.
Sanders has 13 catches for 161 yards with two touchdowns through three games since being traded to San Francisco from the Denver Broncos. That includes his two catches for 24 yards in the loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers were already without Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, the team's leader in reception yards, entering the Monday night heartbreaker. The absence of Sanders, as well, was obviously too much for the San Francisco offense to overcome.
"They're our two best playmakers, so it definitely takes a toll," Kyle Shanahan said after the game. "We knew that coming in with George. We kind of realized that was going to happen today. Emmanuel was out there battling. Had that happen with his ribs, tried to go a few more series longer, but he had to go out."