Rookie safety Shilo Sanders’ time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has come to an abrupt end. On Sunday, Sanders’ agents, Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey, confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the team informed the young defensive back he was being waived. They remain hopeful another team will claim him off waivers as NFL rosters are cut down to the 53-player limit ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The decision comes just one day after Sanders was ejected during the Buccaneers’ preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The rookie was tossed in the second quarter after throwing a punch at tight end Zach Davidson during an exchange of pushing and shoving. Linebacker John Bullock attempted to diffuse the situation, but Sanders was escorted off the field as head coach Todd Bowles looked on in disappointment.
Bowles did not mince words following Tampa Bay’s 23-19 loss.
“You can’t throw punches in this league — that’s inexcusable,” the coach said. “They’re going to get you every time. You’ve got to grow from that.”
Sanders’ night had already been rocky prior to the ejection. He was flagged for pass interference in the first quarter, adding to what was already a critical evaluation period as he fought for a roster spot. The rookie had been competing with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom for Tampa Bay’s final safety position behind starters Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, and Christian Izien.
The 24-year-old safety, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent earlier this offseason. Despite his pedigree and flashes of athleticism, his path to a full-time NFL roster spot has hit a setback.
With roster cuts leaguewide in full swing, Sanders’ NFL future now depends on whether another team is willing to take a chance on his potential — and whether he can show growth from a costly preseason mistake.
Source: ESPN
