The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today promoted safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ee-FAH-too, mel-eh-FAWN-woo) from the practice squad to the active roster, and signed quarterback Brett Rypien (RIP-in) to the practice squad. Additionally, the team has placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan on Injured Reserve.
Melifonwu (6-3, 210) was elevated in Weeks 1-3, appearing exclusively on special teams. He has played in 56 career games, making 22 starts, across six professional seasons between the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Buccaneers. In his career, Melifonwu has logged 120 tackles (seven for loss), 14 passes defensed, eight quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He appeared in 16 games with eight starts for Miami in 2025, producing a career-high 53 tackles while adding 1.0 sack, one interception and one pass defensed. He originally entered the league as a third-round selection (No. 101 overall) by the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Syracuse University (2017-20), where he appeared in 29 career games, with 19 starts, and tallied 88 tackles, 26 passes defensed, three interceptions and 1.0 sack. The South Grafton, Massachusetts, native wears No. 5 for Tampa Bay.
Rypien (6-2, 200) has appeared in 11 career games, making four starts and completing 98-of-168 passes (58.3%) for 950 yards and four touchdowns. He originally entered the NFL as a college free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2019 and spent parts of four seasons with the organization before later spending time with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. He played collegiately at Boise State University (2015-18), finishing his career as the FBS leader in passing yards (13,581), in addition to being the Mountain West's all-time leader in completions (1,036) and 300-yard passing games (21). The Spokane, Washington, native will wear No. 8 for Tampa Bay.
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