The Buccaneers elevated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from the practice squad on Saturday, the team announced.
It is the final elevation for Melifonwu, as he played in the first two games. The Bucs will have to add Melifonwu to the 53-player roster for him to play again this season.
Melifonwu’s elevation gives the Buccaneers help on special teams and insurance at safety. Starters Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith and backup Miles Killebrew are the only safeties on the 53-player roster, with rookie defensive back Keionte Scott playing in the slot.
Melifonwu has not played on defense, but he has logged 32 snaps on special teams.
He signed a one-year deal with the Bucs at the start of training camp after spending last season with the Dolphins. A third-round pick of the Lions in 2021, Melifonwu spent four seasons in Detroit.
He has appeared in 53 games with 22 starts and has totaled 125 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and 14 passes defensed.