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Shilo Sanders Receives NFL Punishment After Being Released Ahead of Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 4:25 PM ET

The NFL season kicks off Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys travel to Philadelphia to face the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, with games continuing Friday, Sunday, and Monday to close out Week 1.

One player who remains unsigned ahead of the season is former Colorado Buffaloes standout Shilo Sanders, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 53-man roster deadline.

Sanders’ release came after an in-game altercation during the Buccaneers’ final preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills, where he was ejected for punching a player in the helmet.

Just over a week later, despite being a free agent, the NFL announced Sanders has been fined $4,669 for the incident, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“A real punch: NFL is fining former Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669 for punching another player and being ejected from last Saturday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. Sanders wound up being released shortly after and has not been signed to another NFL team,” Schefter wrote on Saturday.

A real punch: NFL is fining former Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders $4,669 for punching another player and being ejected from last Saturday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. Sanders wound up being released shortly after and has not been signed to another NFL team. pic.twitter.com/s6NFjrN50o
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2025

Shilo Sanders went undrafted and entered training camp and the preseason with only an outside chance of earning a roster spot. He showed promise, according to Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, but his actions were deemed “inexcusable.”

"You can't throw punches in this league," Bowles said. "That's inexcusable. They're going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that."

As of now, Sanders has gone unclaimed for the Buccaneers’ practice squad, though he hopes to find a home before the NFL season begins and work his way onto a roster.

His father, NFL legend and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders, has spoken out about his son’s release.

"He's my son, I'm proud of my kids, all of them," Sanders said. "And I prepared my kids for any and everything that could possibly happen in life and in sports. That's part of fathering, that's part of parenting, that's part of having a relationship. So he is mentally where he needs to be, physically where he needs to be. We're praying that he gets another opportunity to go with a team, but if he doesn't, the plans have already been put forward to what he's going to do next."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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