Shilo Sanders concluded his exhibition games with an occurrence no aspirant player hopes for when vying for a position on the team.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back was expelled from their final preseason contest versus Buffalo on Saturday for striking Bills tight end Zach Davidson following a play. The altercation began after Davidson blocked Sanders until the play’s conclusion, with Sanders striking Davidson’s helmet while an official was nearby.
The offspring of Deion Sanders and the elder sibling of Shedeur Sanders swiftly received an unnecessary roughness penalty and was removed from the match. The 6-foot-7, 251-pound Davidson celebrated by gesturing “too small” at the 6-foot Sanders while Sanders protested to the official.
Another viewpoint of the event revealed Davidson had his digits inside Sanders’ facemask during their tussle.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles expressed his displeasure post-game:
“You are not allowed to strike in this league. I believe that’s unacceptable. It is certain they will catch you. It’s imperative to learn from this.”
This incident will not aid Sanders in his efforts to secure a spot with the Buccaneers, as he was listed as a third-stringer on the team’s unofficial depth chart. Bowles emphasized the importance of Saturday’s game for Sanders’ chances before the game began:
“Shilo is notably aggressive, quite youthful, and extremely motivated. He’s capable of making plays near the line of scrimmage, and we’re confident he’ll provide 100% effort on special teams. This concluding week will prove crucial for these players to demonstrate their capabilities,” Bowles stated.
Sanders was not drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft following two seasons at Colorado under his father’s coaching. He previously earned second-team All-SWAC honors during his family’s tenure with Jackson State.
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The 25-year-old finds himself in a distinctive situation this preseason, pursuing an NFL roster position while navigating a personal bankruptcy case stemming from an $11 million legal verdict. Sanders sought bankruptcy protection in 2023 in an attempt to discharge a debt owed to a former security guard who accused him of assault during his high school years, leading to a court case where the guard won a default judgment. It remains to be determined whether Sanders will be obligated to pay that substantial sum.
Both Sanders and his brother Shedeur, a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns, have been garnering attention this preseason. Shedeur is part of a competitive quarterbacks group in Cleveland. Shedeur’s initial preseason game was promising, however he faced challenges in an earlier Saturday game, potentially placing him as the fourth QB on the depth chart, trailing Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel.
Their father, Deion, lauded their resilience in the face of challenges earlier in the week, as reported by Bleacher Report:
“My requirement for my children is not to be THE best, but to contribute THEIR UTMOST,” the Colorado head coach conveyed to Bleacher Report. “They have consistently demonstrated maturity, possessing a deep comprehension of the current environment and the hurdles they confront. I am sincerely looking forward to witnessing their triumph over obstacles and their subsequent success.”
