Buccaneers release rookie free agent safety Shilo Sanders from the team

In a surprising turn of events, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have cut rookie free agent safety Shilo Sanders just days before the start of the NFL season. The decision comes following an incident during the second quarter of Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, where Sanders was ejected for punching tight end Zach Davidson.

Sanders, who played college football in 52 games with 33 starts across South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado, had a relatively quiet college career. He made 217 tackles, had six interceptions, and forced five fumbles during his six-season stint. Notably, Sanders played for his father, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State and Colorado.

Prior to joining the Buccaneers, Sanders made two seasons' worth of appearances at Colorado, where he was listed as a third-string safety on the team's depth chart. He also played two seasons at Jackson State and two seasons at South Carolina.

The Buccaneers, like all NFL teams, must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon. Coach Todd Bowles explicitly mentioned Shilo Sanders after his being cut, but the team has yet to release a statement regarding the incident or the decision to release Sanders.

It is worth noting that Sanders did not have any significant disciplinary issues during his college football career, aside from the recent incident in the NFL. His actions during the preseason game led to a penalty, further contributing to his downfall.

Sanders contributed four solo tackles during exhibition play but will not be a part of the Buccaneers' Week 1 play, scheduled for Sept. 4-8. The NFL season is set to begin soon, and the Buccaneers will be looking to fill the vacant safety spot left by Shilo Sanders.