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SANTA CLARA — Emmanuel Sanders scored the first of the 49ers’ six — quest for six? — touchdowns Sunday.
By the end of a 51-13 rout in his debut, Sanders amassed just 25 receiving yards on four catches, but a boatload of respect from his new teammates.
“He made the plays when we called his number,” tight end George Kittle said. “He’s a distraction on some plays and I think he did everything we wanted him to do today. If we can keep doing that moving forward, it’s going to be some fun football.”
A distraction? Indeed. Jimmy Garoppolo faked a pitch to Sanders when Deebo Samuel instead took a handoff 20 yards for a touchdown to give the 49ers a 34-13 lead. On a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tevin Coleman, Sanders “was kind of the misdirection” on the play, said Garoppolo.
“Loved having Emmanuel out there. It was very fun,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He came out and helped us big at the beginning. Had a few big passes to him. Had that touchdown. I think it was tipped, so he made a heck of a play on it.”
Added Garoppolo: “Having a guy like that, a savvy vet like ‘E’ just makes you comfortable as a quarterback. To have him have a great day today, it’ll only get better from here.”
Sanders was acquired Tuesday from the Denver Broncos, with the 49ers sending third- and fourth-round draft picks while also receiving a fifth-rounder.
“All week, the energy has been so positive here,” Sanders said. “This locker room is just amazing with a great group of players, and great personalities around here.
“I showed up today expecting the same results in personality. I will never forget going out into the tunnel with these guys. Everybody was laughing and smiling, I was like, ‘Man, this is football. This is fun.’ I am blessed to be here.”
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