Shilo Sanders walked into the locker room Saturday night knowing his NFL dream just took a devastating hit. The former Colorado safety’s punch that got him ejected against the Buffalo Bills wasn’t just a momentary lapse – it might have been the moment that ended his Tampa Bay Buccaneers career before it really started.
Why Did Todd Bowles Call Shilo Sanders’ Actions Inexcusable?
Sanders was ejected for throwing a punch at Bills tight end Zach Davidson in the second quarter of Tampa Bay’s 23-19 loss on Saturday night. The incident unfolded when Davidson finished a block downfield and got his hand into Sanders’ facemask. The Colorado product took exception and decided to retaliate with punches.
However, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles delivered a stern message in the post-game press conference, calling the rookie’s actions completely unacceptable.
“You can’t throw punches in this league,” Bowles said. “That was inexcusable. They’re gonna get you every time.”
Coach Todd Bowles discusses the “inexcusable” punch thrown by Shilo Sanders that got him ejected #GoBucs #NFL #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/c3lwLsSLql
— Jay Recher (@jayRecher) August 24, 2025
The timing couldn’t be worse for Sanders. His preseason started with promise during Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded an impressive hit on quarterback Brandon Allen. That moment represented his lone highlight in what has become an increasingly disappointing campaign. Now, the ejection has severely damaged whatever slim chances he had of making the 53-man roster.
Can Sanders Still Make the Buccaneers’ 53-Man Roster?
Sanders was already fighting an uphill battle before Saturday night’s incident. With four players ahead of him on the depth chart, his margin for error was practically nonexistent. The lack of standout preseason performances, combined with the ejection, has made his path to the roster even steeper.
Against the Bills before getting ejected, Sanders managed just one solo tackle while recording a missed tackle and drawing a pass interference penalty. The week before, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he finished with two solo tackles in the Buccaneers’ 17-14 victory.
Those modest numbers haven’t helped his cause, and many fans on social media expressed their desire for Tampa Bay to cut him following that performance.
The safety depth chart tells the story of Sanders’ challenge. Antoine Winfield Jr. remains locked in as the starter, with Tykee Smith and Christian Izien serving as his primary backups. That leaves Sanders competing with Kaevon Merriweather and Rashad Wisdom for what appears to be just one remaining safety spot.
At this point, Sanders’ best-case scenario might involve a practice squad role, but even that opportunity could disappear if Bowles decides he’s seen enough. The coach’s pointed comments suggest patience is running thin, and Saturday’s ejection may have been the final straw in what started as a promising opportunity for the young safety.
