Shilo Sanders can avoid NFL fine for punching rival with little-known loophole after being cut by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SHILO Sanders has been slapped with a $4,669 fine – but he could avoid paying up.

The 25-year-old rookie threw the punch during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills last Saturday.

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Shilo Sanders has been cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/caption]

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He was given a fine for punching a player during a preseason game[/caption]

Sanders was ejected from the game following his attack on 27-year-old Bills star Zach Davidson.

Despite this, the son of NFL legend Deion, 58, may never have to pay his bumper fine.

This is because Sanders was cut by the Bucs as general manager Jason Licht, 54, named his 53-man roster for the 2025 season.

NFL rules means that deductions are made from a player’s next paycheck after a fine is issued.

As Sanders has been cut by the Bucs, he may manage to avoid ever paying the four-figure fee.

It will go unpaid for as long as the safety remains unaffiliated with a team in the league.

Sanders’ attack proved to cost the Bucs, with the Bills running out as 23-19 winners to close out preseason.

This proved to be the rookies’ final action in Bucs colors.

He is not the only safety to face preseason punishment as the Los Angeles Chargers‘ John Johnson III has been slapped with a ban.

His father, Deion, believes he will bounce back from his early career struggles.

Despite his father’s icon status, Sanders went unpicked during the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Bucs picking him up as a free agent.

His short stint in Tampa Bay has ended, with Sanders reverting to his free agent status.

He has not given up hope of finding employment in the NFL.

It is understood that his agent is in negotiations to hand the rookie a new contract elsewhere in the NFL.

Alternatively, Sanders may look north of the border as several teams in the Canadian Football League monitor the star.

The Toronto Argonauts are thought to be leading the charge to sign the rookie.

His quarterback brother, Shedeur, 23, had been in talks to also join the Argonaughts before signing with the Cleveland Browns.

CFL teams are allowed a 45-player negotiating list, increasing Sanders’ chances of extending his professional gridiron career.

While a move to an alternative NFL team is his first option, the CFL may allow Sanders to prosper away from the spotlight.

While wages in the CFL are considerably smaller than the initial $2.9 million one offered by the Bucs, a move would allow him to avoid paying his outstanding fine.