Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu was added to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' game-day roster Saturday through a practice-squad elevation, making him eligible for the team's 2026 home opener against the Cleveland Browns. The move marks his second elevation this season after he appeared in the opener at Cincinnati.
Teams may elevate as many as two practice-squad players for each game. By using one of those spots in Week Two, Tampa Bay has 54 players available for the matchup, with 48 allowed to play and six designated inactive before kickoff.
Melifonwu can be elevated once more during the regular season. Elevated players return to the practice squad after the game without being exposed to waivers, and the limit does not apply during the postseason.
The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu at the beginning of training camp after he spent the previous season with the Miami Dolphins. He played in 16 games for Miami, starting eight. During Tampa Bay's three preseason games, he started twice and recorded five tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defended.
He was released during the leaguewide roster reductions and rejoined the team on its practice squad the following day.
Before joining Tampa Bay, Melifonwu played five NFL seasons, including his first four with Detroit. He has appeared in 53 games, including 22 starts, and has totaled 125 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and 14 passes defended. In the season opener, he played 15 special-teams snaps and did not take defensive snaps.
