Emmanuel Sanders has been dealing with a rib injury since the San Francisco 49ers' Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He has been able to play in each game since then but has done so while dealing with the discomfort resulting from his injury.
Sanders was among the players able to practice on Wednesday at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where the team is staying this week in preparation for Sunday's NFC showdown with the New Orleans Saints. He is making progress and even got rid of the no-contact practice jersey he's been forced to wear in recent weeks.
"I feel better," Sanders told reporters. "Today, I didn't have to have the blue jersey on, so that felt good to be out there and have the guys kind of bang on me a little bit. It still kind of bothers me a little bit, but I'll be good in a game, though. That's all that matters."
Sanders admits that it was difficult playing early on after the injury while dealing with the pain. He had 11 catches for 137 yards with two touchdowns during his first two games since joining the 49ers via a trade. Sanders has 10 catches for 113 yards and has been kept out of the end zone in four games since then.
"I went out that first game, and I tried to give it a go, and it was tough," Sanders continued. "They took me out at halftime. But after that, I've been battling through. Week by week, I'm getting better and better."
That's good news for the 49ers, who traded multiple draft picks to the Denver Broncos to acquire Sanders and help them down this stretch and in the playoffs.