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.

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 Bucs’ 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 between him and Bills tight end Zach Davidson. Despite Davidson’s instigation and pushing him downfield, Sanders obviously took it a step too far by throwing a punch. The official was right there to throw the flag and toss him from the exhibition match.

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 Bucs’ practice squad along with safeties Rashad Wisdom and Will Brooks.

Joining Tampa Bay following the 2025 NFL Draft, Deion Sanders’ son came down with much fanfare and became someone that media and fans alike have closely followed throughout the offseason. After playing under his Hall of Fame dad in Colorado, the younger Sanders flashed some playmaking abilities with four forced fumbles and an 80-yard pick six for the Buffaloes in 2023 and another forced fumble and fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2024.

During the preseason opener, Shilo Sanders even looked the part of physical safety getting into the backfield and being apt to making a big hit. Now, whether the Bucs see enough in Sanders to keep him around at all 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.