How Shilo Sanders Performed in NFL Preseason Debut for Bucs vs. Cam Ward, Titans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie safety Shilo Sanders made his preseason debut on Saturday in his team's 29-7 home win against the Tennessee Titans.

Sanders finished with one quarterback hit and one solo tackle. His quarterback hit occurred after a safety blitz, and it broke up a pass play for the Titans, who had a 1st-and-10 on the Tampa Bay 28-yard line. Tennessee's drive later stalled on the Tampa Bay nine-yard line after a turnover-on-downs.

Sanders later had a nice tackle on Titans running back Kalel Mullings after a four-yard gain to set up 3rd-and-3 from the Tennessee 28-yard line. The Titans soon punted after a false start and incomplete pass.

Fans and analysts were impressed with Sanders' showing.

Sanders went undrafted out of Colorado, where he amassed 137 tackles (99 solo) and five forced fumbles over his two seasons (21 games) with the Buffaloes. However, the Buccaneers quickly picked him up as an undrafted free agent, and he's remained with the team all offseason.

The 25-year-old Sanders is the second-eldest son of Colorado football head coach Deion Sanders and the older brother of Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback (and ex-Colorado star) Shedeur Sanders.

As for the Titans, this game featured the preseason debut of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Ward started and completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards over two drives, leading Tennessee to its lone touchdown (a Tony Pollard one-yard run) on the second one.

As for Shilo Sanders, he will get his next opportunity to play on Saturday when Tampa Bay visits the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7 p.m. ET.