It’s Emmanuel Sanders’ time to shine for the Steelers

With wide receiver Antonio Brown out for Monday night’s game against the Chiefs, the Steelers will have receiver Emmanuel Sanders lined up on the other side of Mike Wallace.

Nov 4, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Sanders was the receiver that the Steelers had drafted in the 2010 draft with their third-round pick from SMU right before Antonio Brown was selected in the fourth round.  Sanders was meant to be the guy lined up opposite of Wallace, but due to injuries it allowed Brown to show his spectacular abilities and make him Ben’s new go to guy.

This is Sanders chance to prove to everyone that he deserves to be a top weapon of the Steelers offense, and the main plan for him is to stay healthy.  Sanders has already proven that he can run, catch, and even block.  He just has that injury bug that has affected him since his rookie season.

Emmanuel has already shown this season that he is capable of being more then just a number three receiver with 24 catches for 302 receiving yards and one touchdown. He wants to be a bigger part of the Steelers’ offense and deserves the chance.

He has a perfect matchup this week to not only show off his skills, but convince the organization that they do not need to break the bank for Wallace, and instead move on with Brown and  re-signing Sanders, especially with Wallace’s fondness with dropping the football this season.

So when you see Sanders step onto Heinz Field Monday night, you could be seeing Antonio’s future partner in crime in the passing attack, and start chanting along with the rest of Steeler Nation, “The Next Great 88!” when that clock hits zero.