Shilo Sanders’ time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has officially come to an end. Many anticipated the undrafted rookie safety would be waived, and his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey announced that reality on Sunday morning. His representation said the team has already informed him, so Sanders and his agents are now hoping he’s claimed on waivers.
It seems unlikely that the rookie will be claimed by a team on waivers, so he could be returning to the Buccaneers as a member of the practice squad. Sanders had received praise from coaches throughout camp for his work ethic and aggressive play style, so he could be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
In less than 24 hours, rookie safety Shilo Sanders got ejected from a game and then waived from the Buccaneers. pic.twitter.com/HcyUk5uv9e
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2025
Shilo Sanders could be a candidate for Buccaneers practice squad if he clears waivers
The waiving of Sanders comes the morning after he was ejected from Tampa Bay’s final preseason game for smacking the helmet of a Buffalo Bills player. The two were engaged in a physical exchange after the whistle had already blew, but it was Sanders who received the penalty and the ejection.
Sensationalist will try to connect him being waived to the ejection, but the truth is he was likely headed towards waivers regardless of what happened Saturday night. The Buccaneers have a crowded safety room with really only one spot that was up for grabs. Sanders hadn’t made the necessary plays throughout camp or the preseason to claim that roster spot.
The ejection was detrimental for that reason; he lost his final opportunity to make some splash plays and get the team’s attention. Either way, this was the likely outcome for him after training camp. Now, he has to wait and see what the next step of his career will be. Sanders had won over the fans and community since joining the Buccaneers, so a lot of people would be happy to see him back on the practice squad.