The Bucs on Sunday will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 33-27 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. Ahead of the home opener inside Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay made a roster move.
Ifeatu Melifonwu has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. The 27-year-old safety is eligible for Sunday’s contest after being activated and playing in the 2026 regular season opener in Cincinnati. Each NFL team can elevate a player up to three times in the regular season, so Melifonwu has one more elevation remaining before he would have to be formally added to the 53-man roster to feature again.
Bucs S Ifeatu Melifonwu – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Bucs Back Healthy Ahead of Week 2
Melifonwu, though he did dress against the Bengals, did not see a single snap on defense. Signed at the start of training camp, he played in all three preseason games, tallying five tackles, one tackle for loss, and a PBU. Melifonwu just missed out on making the 53-man roster as the Bucs decided to keep only three safeties on the roster.
One of those safeties is Miles Killebrew, who sees the bulk of his work on special teams. Killebrew, however, is in concussion protocol and has to clear before he can be eligible to play. Killebrew was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report.
In addition to Killebrew, cornerback Jacob Parrish (back) and wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) are questionable for Sunday. Parrish suffered a back sprain in the second quarter in Cincinnati and did not return. Benjamin Morrison replaced him at outside corner opposite Zyon McCollum and played well in Parrish’s absence. Parrish practiced in full on Friday, a good sign for his availability against the Browns.
As for McMillan, he’s been sidelined with a knee injury dating back to the middle of training camp. He was a full participant all week for the Bucs, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him make his season debut on Sunday.
WR Jalen McMillan continues to practice. Looks smooth. Hopefully we see him Sunday! #Bucs #Browns pic.twitter.com/N2AvMNasb3
— Aileen Hnatiuk (@AileenHnatiuk) September 17, 2026
Running back Sean Tucker, who missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury, is off the injury report and will play in Week 2. As a result, Josh Williams, who filled in for Tucker and had a 47-yard kickoff return against the Bengals, will not receive a practice squad elevation for Sunday’s game.
Kickoff for the Bucs and Browns is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Nick Geddes is in his first year with Pewter Report. A Tampa native, he has spent his entire life following the Buccaneers and most recently, covering the team for "The JP Peterson Show." He previously worked as a sportswriter for On3 and also covers UCF football on the "Charge On" podcast.
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