Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders may have hurt his chances of making the roster in the team’s preseason finale. In a heated moment against the Buffalo Bills, Sanders appeared to throw a punch at an opposing player, leading to his ejection.
The timing couldn’t be worse, as Sanders is fighting for a roster spot on an already loaded Buccaneers defense.
Shilo Sanders Ejected Vs. Bills
The incident unfolded after Davidson appeared to shove Sanders away from the play, pushing him back toward the end zone. Tensions quickly escalated, and Sanders responded by shoving back, with both players jostling and exchanging pushes to each other’s face.
Here is the play that got Shilo Sanders ejected. pic.twitter.com/7LRplnywzo
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) August 24, 2025
As the confrontation intensified, Sanders’ frustration boiled over. In a moment of lost composure, the Buccaneers rookie threw a wild punch at his Bills opponent—right in full view of a nearby referee. The official immediately stepped in, throwing a flag and ejecting Sanders from the game.
Shilo Sanders Bankruptcy Case
Buccaneers rookie safety Sanders is battling for a roster spot while also facing a major off-field challenge — an $11.8 million bankruptcy case stemming from a 2015 assault lawsuit. The court will decide whether the debt is wiped clean or follows him into his NFL career, with potential wage garnishment on future earnings. Ironically, the plaintiff, former security guard John Darjean, benefits if Sanders succeeds in the NFL, as it improves his chances of repayment.
Meanwhile, Sanders is fighting to prove himself on the field. Head coach Todd Bowles called the game against Buffalo “very important” for his roster chances. Despite going undrafted, Sanders signed a three-year, $3 million deal and continues working to secure a spot on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster. Getting ejected in the “very important” game certainly doesn’t help Sanders’ chances of making the 53-man roster.
