Joe Montana, stopping just short of a...

Joe Montana, stopping just short of a “play-me-or-trade-me” demand, says he won’t settle for the role of No. 2 quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers.

“I think that anybody who foresees himself as a backup anything has problems to start with,” Montana said at practice at Santa Clara, after learning of Coach Bill Walsh’s decision to start Steve Young at Phoenix Sunday.

Montana said too much is being made of his back problem and nagging injuries to his elbow and ribs.

Of a trade, Montana said, “I would hate it,” but added, “It comes down to the fact that if I feel I can play somewhere else, I’d at least try to fulfill some things.”