Tampa Bay Buccaneers promote Ifeatu Melifonwu to active roster, place Jalen McMillan on IR; add QB Brett Rypien to practice squad
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu to the active roster, placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan on injured reserve and added quarterback Brett Rypien to the practice squad on Sept. 30, according to the team’s transaction log and ESPN’s transaction page. Those moves followed a run of waiver claims, practice-squad signings and elevations earlier in the season. The Buccaneers have leaned on elevations and claims to address short-term needs across the roster.
The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu on July 30 and moved him from the practice squad to the active roster on Sept. 30. The Buccaneers elevated him from the practice squad on Sept. 26, Sept. 19 and Sept. 12. The Buccaneers used those repeated elevations to address needs in the secondary.
The Buccaneers placed Jalen McMillan on injured reserve on Sept. 30. That move removes the wide receiver from the active roster. The transaction log did not list medical details or a roster-return date.
The Buccaneers signed Brett Rypien to the practice squad on Sept. 30. Rypien gives the Buccaneers additional depth at quarterback on the practice roster. The signing came without an immediate corresponding active-roster move.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Buccaneers’ late-September moves underscore an emphasis on short-term roster flexibility. Elevating Ifeatu Melifonwu after multiple practice-squad promotions shows the coaching staff trusts him to step into the secondary when needed. Placing Jalen McMillan on injured reserve reduces receiving depth, while adding Brett Rypien to the practice squad shores up quarterback options without affecting the active roster immediately. Expect the Buccaneers to continue using waivers, practice-squad signings and elevations to manage availability as the season progresses.