The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills’ preseason game went sideways on Saturday night when Buccaneers rookie Shilo Sanders was ejected for throwing a punch. That came as Sanders is batting to make it to the active roster going into the next season. On the play, Bills tight end Zach Davidson blocked Shilo Sanders downfield. He […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills’ preseason game went sideways on Saturday night when Buccaneers rookie Shilo Sanders was ejected for throwing a punch. That came as Sanders is batting to make it to the active roster going into the next season.
On the play, Bills tight end Zach Davidson blocked Shilo Sanders downfield. He took him away from the play and toward the end zone, far beyond where the play ended. That drew the ire of Sanders, particularly after the final shove. So, he responded by swinging back and throwing a punch. The referees had a good view of that, and flags quickly came out, getting him tossed.
After the game, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles was critical of the play. He shared that he felt that the actions Sanders showed were inexcusable.
“You can’t throw punches in this league,” Todd Bowles said. “That’s inexcusable. They’re going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that.”
This comes at a precarious moment for Shilo Sanders. He went to Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent this year. He’s also already 25 years old, which is far from young for an NFL rookie. He’s also been teetering around the cut line for the final 53-man roster. So, it leaves a bad final impression during preseason action to get ejected. He’d finish the preseason with four tackles.
Earlier in the month, Todd Bowles addressed the play of Shilo Sanders. At the time, he praised how Sanders had been developing. He was giving Bowles a chance back then to make their roster.
“He’s coming along. He’s getting the scheme down,” Bowles said. “He’s made plays like everybody else back there. There are a few tests that come up during the preseason – Tuesday night was one, and the other three preseason games and practices will be others. He’s got a chance to make it.”
This comes at a time when there has been a magnifying glass on the Sanders family. Both Shilo and his brother Shedeur finished their college careers playing for their legendary father Deion at Colorado. Neither was selected as high as they had hoped, with Shilo falling out of the draft altogether. Now, they’re hoping to make their respective rosters.
Final cuts are due on Tuesday, August 26th. That’s likely when Shilo Sanders will learn his fate with Tampa Bay. Even if he doesn’t make the active roster, of course, there will still likely be practice squad opportunities or a chance to land with another NFL team.
Category: Football
