Shilo Sanders’ NFL Journey: From Jersey Gesture to On-Field Incident

The promising preseason chapter of Shilo Sanders’ professional football career has come to an abrupt and stunning halt. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have waived the rookie defensive back, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, mere hours after he was ejected from a preseason contest for throwing a punch. The move, reported by the Associated Press, underscores the league’s zero-tolerance policy for on-field conduct violations and marks a significant setback for the young player’s aspirations.

The decisive action follows a critical moment in the Buccaneers’ 23-19 loss to the Buffalo Bills. During the game, Sanders was involved in an altercation with Bills tight end Zach Davidson, which culminated in Sanders throwing a punch. The officiating crew immediately ejected him from the game. Following the incident, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was unequivocal in his assessment, stating that such actions are inexcusable in the league and that a player must grow from the experience.

How Does On-Field Conduct Impact an NFL Rookie’s Career?

For an undrafted free agent like Shilo Sanders, every preseason snap is a critical audition. While talent is paramount, professionalism and composure are equally valued by NFL franchises. An incident like an ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct can instantly overshadow weeks of positive progress. It signals a potential liability to coaches and front office executives who must make difficult final roster decisions. For Sanders, a player battling for one of the final spots in a competitive secondary, the momentary loss of control proved costly, demonstrating how quickly a single decision can alter a career trajectory.

Sanders’ journey to this point was already a compelling narrative. After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft despite a high-profile collegiate career playing for his father at the University of Colorado, he quickly signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent. His preseason debut earlier in August was a positive first step, a moment he celebrated by gifting his game-worn jersey to his mother, Pilar, who expressed immense pride on social media. That high makes his current situation a particularly dramatic low, highlighting the intense pressures and rapid ups-and-downs inherent in professional sports.

What’s Next for the Colorado product?

At 25 years old, Sanders now enters the NFL waiver system. According to reports from ESPN, his representatives expressed hope that another team would claim him, intrigued by his pedigree and potential. His path forward is uncertain. Any team considering him must weigh his athletic upside against the questions about his discipline raised by this incident. The waiver represents a major learning moment, one that will define whether his NFL journey continues or is put on indefinite hold. The league’s message is clear: talent opens doors, but professionalism keeps them open.

Shilo Sanders’ brief NFL journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a stark lesson in how quickly fortunes can change. From the high of gifting his first game jersey to his mother to the low of an ejection and subsequent release, his story encapsulates the immense pressure and scrutiny facing undrafted rookies. His future now depends on another team taking a chance and, more importantly, on his ability to demonstrate the growth and composure his former coach demanded. For the latest on NFL roster moves, follow official league updates.

Must Know

Why was Shilo Sanders waived?
Shilo Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being ejected from a preseason game for throwing a punch at a Buffalo Bills player. The team took decisive action following the incident, which violated the league’s strict conduct policies.

What did Coach Todd Bowles say about the punch?
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles stated that throwing punches is inexcusable in the NFL and that players will be caught every time. He emphasized that it was a moment Sanders needed to grow from as a professional.

Did Shilo Sanders get drafted?
No, Shilo Sanders was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft concluded and was competing for a roster spot during the preseason.

What team does Deion Sanders coach?
Deion Sanders, Shilo’s father, is the head football coach at the University of Colorado. Both Shilo and his brother Shedeur played for him there before entering the NFL.

Who did Shilo Sanders punch?
Shilo Sanders threw a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson during a preseason game, which led to his immediate ejection from the contest and ultimately his release from the Buccaneers.

Can another NFL team sign Shilo Sanders?
Yes, Shilo Sanders will now be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire. If he goes unclaimed, he will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team that shows interest in him.