Bucs safety Shilo Sanders was looking to have a big game on Saturday night, with time running out to make an impact. Competing for a spot on the practice squad, Sanders made headlines for negative play and not even finishing the game after being ejected during the second quarter.
#Bucs S Shilo Sanders is called for an unnecessary roughness penalty and EJECTED from the game. Sanders threw a punch at a #Bills player and walked off the field. HC Todd Bowles was NOT happy.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 24, 2025
Poor Play By Bucs S Shilo Sanders Hurts His Chances
Shilo Sanders’ play this preseason was filled with more downs than ups. Sanders had missed three tackles across the first two preseason games and then was called for a defensive pass interference penalty in the first quarter on Saturday night.
Bucs S Shilo Sanders and Bills WR KJ Hamler – Photo by: USA Today
After his unnecessary roughness penalty removed him from the game, Sanders did the walk of shame off the field and head coach Todd Bowles was not happy with what transpired.
Here is the full back-and-forth and punch thrown on Bills tight end Zach Davidson.
This all but eliminates his chances of making the 53-man roster and also casts his chances of making the practice squad into doubt. After undrafted safety J.J. Roberts’ season-ending knee injury provided more of a chance to shine; Sanders had a disappointing preseason. The team will be keeping four safeties, with Sanders in the mix to remain on Tampa Bay’s practice squad along with safeties Rashad Wisdom and Will Brooks.
Whether the Bucs see enough in Shilo Sanders to keep him around will be something to monitor, especially after what happened on Saturday night. It was not the kind of game he nor the team wanted from him.