The Buccaneers are bringing Ifeatu Melifonwu onto the active roster on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Melifonwu had spent the season on Tampa Bay’s practice squad and had already been elevated for the first three games, which meant the club had reached the NFL limit on those call-ups and had to decide whether to keep him or move on.
Veteran safety Ifeatu Melifonwu reached agreement today on a one-year deal with the Bucs.
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 29, 2026
The move gives Tampa Bay the backup safety it has been carrying around all season in a more permanent form. Melifonwu was added at the start of training camp, and it was a bit of a surprise that he didn’t crack the 53-man roster.
The Bucs instead kept only three safeties: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith and Miles Killebrew. But Killebrew has mainly been used on special teams, leaving the team without a true extra safety behind its starters.
Melifonwu has also provided help in that phase of the game. Through three games, he has logged 51 special teams snaps and made one tackle. He has not played a snap on defense.
The timing works out for Tampa Bay, too. With wide receiver Jalen McMillan likely headed to injured reserve because of a knee injury, the Bucs had a roster opening without needing to make another cut. That also creates one more spot on the practice squad.
For the defense, the move adds some breathing room. Melifonwu is the biggest safety on the roster at 6-3 and 210 pounds, and while he probably won’t see much action unless Antoine Winfield Jr. or Tykee Smith is unavailable, he gives the Bucs clear depth where they needed it.
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