Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Shilo Sanders is having a terrible week.
The Buccaneers waived Sanders following his ejection during Tampa Bay's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills when he punched tight end Zach Davidson.
Per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the league fined Sanders $4,669 for the unnecessary roughness penalty.
"The NFL fined former Bucs S Shilo Sanders $4,669 for unnecessary roughness — punching Bills TE Zach Davidson after a play in last week’s preseason finale," Pelissero posted on X. "Sanders was ejected and Tampa Bay released him the next day. Now, a fine on top of it."
The NFL fined former #Bucs S Shilo Sanders $4,669 for unnecessary roughness — punching #Bills TE Zach Davidson after a play in last week’s preseason finale.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2025
Sanders was ejected and Tampa Bay released him the next day. Now, a fine on top of it.pic.twitter.com/5jWLuUPI2q
The fine comes as Sanders is looking for a new job before the regular season begins.
Sanders was competing for the No. 4 safety spot on the 53-man roster before he committed two critical penalties against the Bills, including the punch that led to a Bills touchdown on the next play.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was not happy with Sanders after throwing the punch, calling the action "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."
The punch appeared to be a factor in the Buccaneers' decision not to sign Sanders to the practice squad after he cleared waivers this week. The former Colorado Buffaloes standout hopes for another opportunity in the league, but he's looking into going into another career amid uncertainty with football.
After going undrafted, Sanders signed a three-year deal with the Buccaneers worth $2.96 million with $1,572 guaranteed, per Over The Cap. The contract was voided following his release this week.
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