Tampa Bay Parts Ways With Shilo Sanders
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially waived rookie safety Shilo Sanders, just one day after his ejection in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Sanders’ agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey confirmed the news on Sunday, adding that they hope another NFL team will claim him off waivers as roster cuts move toward Tuesday’s 53-man deadline.
What Led To The Ejection
The incident unfolded in the second quarter when Sanders, who was already under pressure to secure a final roster spot, threw a punch at Buffalo tight end Zach Davidson after some aggressive blocking.
WHY IS NO 1 SHOWING THIS ANGLE OF SHILO SANDERS ?
— Gunz (@TheGunzShow) August 24, 2025
– Play was already whistled done
– Players stopped
– Bills Zach Davidson grabs Sanders face mask (After whistle) easily could be penalty, or the ref stepping in
– Shilo can't throw punch (obviously)
– Stop overreacting ppl pic.twitter.com/G18pPCR4Te
Linebacker John Bullock attempted to calm him down, but the damage was done.
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles didn’t mince words after the game, saying:
You can’t throw punches in this league—that’s inexcusable.
They’re going to get you every time.
You’ve got to grow from that.
To make matters worse, Sanders had also been flagged for pass interference earlier in the game, adding to a rough night that likely factored into the Bucs’ decision.
His Battle For A Roster Spot
Sanders was in a tight competition for the final safety position, battling Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom behind starters Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, and Christian Izien.
Unfortunately, the ejection and penalties did not help his case.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shilo went undrafted but signed with the Buccaneers in hopes of carving out his own path in the NFL.
His release now places his professional future in the hands of other teams as waiver claims unfold.
What’s Next For Shilo Sanders
While this is a setback, the NFL waiver system could provide Sanders with another opportunity.
If unclaimed, he could still land on a practice squad and continue developing.
For a young player with undeniable potential, this moment may be more of a pause than a full stop.
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