Shilo Sanders. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

49ers give safety Shilo Sanders an opportunity

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 6:13 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers are looking for safety help this week, and rookie Shilo Sanders is a potential option before their Week 4 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Sanders worked out for the 49ers on Tuesday.

The workout comes as safety Malik Mustapha is still out with a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered in Week 18 of the 2024 season.

Sanders was initially signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent this spring. The former Colorado Buffaloes standout had a chance to make the roster before the team's third preseason game, but Sanders was ejected from the contest after throwing a punch at Buffalo Bills tight end Zach Davidson.

49ers had Shilo Sanders in today for a workout.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2025

The Buccaneers chose not to add Sanders to the practice squad after they cut him following training camp in August.

Shilo Sanders is considering all his options

After his release from Tampa Bay, Sanders said he wanted another opportunity in the NFL but was also considering going into another career like music, modeling or acting if his career in football came to an end.

"I feel like this is just part of my story to grow and do bigger and better things, Sanders said. "Whether it’s finding another team. Whether it’s getting another opportunity in the NFL, it is what it is. I truly believe in God and believe everything happens for a reason."

The 49ers would be a great system for Sanders to learn defense with former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh running the defense.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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