Shilo Sanders has been having a rough preseason, and Saturday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills was no different.
The undrafted rookie free agent was already considered a roster bubble player, and his performance against the Bills will not help his case. Not only did he struggle early in the contest, he was ultimaely ejected after he threw a punch at an opposing player.
Buccaneers Fans Fed Up With Shilo Sanders After Viral Ejection, Preseason Struggles
On a routine play, Buffalo tight end Zach Davidson was blocking Sanders downfield. The play wasn’t overly physical, but Davidson put his hands on Sanders’ facemask.
Sanders was clearly upset and took a full swing at Davidson’s helmet, which drew an immediate flag and ejection. Sanders needed a strong showing in this game to make his case for a spot on the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster, so this was a huge mistake.
Here is another angle of the Shilo Sanders ejection. You can see Zach Davidson climb to the facemask, which is what Todd Bowles was arguing to the refs afterwards. pic.twitter.com/XsSuFyT6Kw
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) August 24, 2025
Even before the ejection, Sanders was struggling mightily in the contest. He had a missed tackle, a pass interference penalty, and he slipped while in coverage on another plage. Prior to him being tossed out, Buccaneers fans were saying, “Shilo Sanders… is not an NFL player.”
Shilo Sanders… is not an NFL player.
— Nate Geary (@NateGearySports) August 24, 2025
Others called out his effort: “Shilo smh. Just because the receiver passed you doesn’t mean you stop running!”
Shilo smh. Just because the receiver passed you doesn’t mean you stop running!
— EJ Varner (@EJRockSolid24) August 24, 2025
One fan questioned Sanders’ wisdom on the field saying, “Shilo sanders just threw punches..trying to make the team.”
Shilo sanders just threw punches..trying to make the team.
— Cody Haynes (@codyh33) August 24, 2025
Meanwhile, another fan just came out and said, “CUT THIS PUNK SHILO SANDERS.”
CUT THIS PUNK SHILO SANDERS
— Jason in Tampa (@ghostbuster57) August 24, 2025
These are just a few of the reactions online — there were plenty of other fans calling for him to be cut as well after his rough preseason and viral ejection.
The Bucs signed Sanders as an undrafted free agent, as he was considered a solid tackler who could already help in run support but would need development in pass coverage.
Last season, Sanders played for his father Deion Sanders as a starting safety for Colorado. This marked his sixth and final year in college football, having redshirted in 2019 and earning an extra year of eligibility for the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
In the eight games he played last year with Colorado, he had 67 tackles and two tackles for a loss. He added a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries (including one that he returned for a touchdown) and a sack, plus two pass deflections.
He struggled in the Bucs’ second preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, prompting similar reactions from Buccaneers fans.
This year, roster cutdown day is on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET, and it will be interesting to see if Sanders makes the Buccaneers’ final roster. Given his poor play throughout the preseason and controversial ejection, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if Sanders finds himself on the outside looking in.
