The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have waived rookie safety Shilo Sanders, a day after his ejection from a preseason game for throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson.
The move, confirmed Sunday by insider Dianna Russini, ends Sanders’ brief stint with Tampa Bay after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Colorado.
Shilo Sanders has been waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 24, 2025
The release drew swift reaction on social media, with some fans mocking and others defending him. One fan referred to Deion Sanders’ kids’ power ranking, writing, “Deion least favorite.”
Another one supported the decision with a “deserved” comment.
One Bucs supporter wrote, “Like I’ve said, if anybody actually watched his college tape, you would know he’s not very good.”
Another quipped, writing, “Well yeah, they didn’t retire his number.”
Some hinted at how the news hit hard, commenting, “Wow. Gut punch for Shilo.”
Others joked about his future with Shedeur Sanders, with one writing, “Don’t even try it Cleveland.”
Another agreed with the Bucs, “Not an nfl player… nor is his brother. Reality coming quickly.”
Shilo Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, is also the older brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Like his brother, Shilo played under his father at Colorado before entering the NFL Draft, where he went unselected in April.
Shilo Sanders’ Ejection vs. the Bills That Cost Him an NFL Spot
After the release, Shilo Sanders’ agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, told ESPN they hope another team claims him on waivers. While the waiver process will determine if another team takes a chance, Sanders’ NFL future is now uncertain.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders saw his preseason end in the worst way possible, with an ejection that may have cost him a roster spot.
Shilo was tossed from Saturday’s 23-19 preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills after throwing a punch at tight end Zach Davidson. The incident occurred when Davidson blocked Sanders through the end of a play, leading the rookie to swing at Davidson’s helmet as an official stood nearby.
Sanders was flagged for unnecessary roughness and immediately disqualified. Davidson, listed at 6-foot-7, taunted the 6-foot Sanders with a “too small” gesture after the altercation. Video later showed Davidson’s hand inside Sanders’ facemask during the tussle. Head coach Todd Bowles addressed the situation immediately after the game, where he did not hold back on his criticism.
“You can’t throw punches in this league,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said postgame. “That’s inexcusable. They’re gonna get you every time. Gotta grow from that.”
The timing was costly. Sanders entered the matchup listed as a third-string safety, with Bowles calling the finale a key chance for young players to prove themselves.
Undrafted out of Colorado after playing under his father, Sanders was previously second-team All-SWAC at Jackson State. Off the field, he faces financial challenges tied to a bankruptcy filing and an $11 million legal judgment from a past assault case.
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