Melifonwu (hamstring) is in line to sign a one-year, $4 million contract with the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Melifonwu will likely handle a starting role in the Dolphins' secondary, with both Jevon Holland (signing with Giants) and Jordan Poyer (set for free agency) in line to depart the team this offseason. An ankle injury forced the 2021 third-round pick to delay his 2024 debut until Week 16, but once available he handled a starting role in Detroit's secondary until a hamstring issue knocked him out of the NFC Championship Game. Melifonwu figures to be ready for the start of Miami's offseason activities, though.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Limited action in 2024
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Melifonwu (hamstring) played in three regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 10 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks.
The 2021 third-round pick didn't make his regular-season debut until Week 16 against the Bears due to ankle and hand injuries. He was instantly inserted as the starting safety alongside Kerby Joseph and had a productive end to the regular season, but Melifonwu was unable to finish the Lions' NFC divisional-round loss against the Commanders after suffering a hamstring injury. Melifonwu enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, though he told reporters Tuesday that he would like to re-sign with Detroit, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Injured against Commanders
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Melifonwu suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday's divisional-round matchup against the Commanders and is questionable to return.
Melifonwu missed most of the regular season with a hand injury, and he's run into some more bad luck. He's also the latest player to go down in a banged-up Detroit secondary.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Making regular-season debut Sunday
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Melifonwu (hand) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Melifonwu was sidelined for the Lions' first 14 regular-season games due to ankle and hand injuries, but the 25-year-old safety will make his 2024 debut Sunday and provide depth at safety behind starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Across 17 regular-season games in 2023, Melifonwu logged 33 tackles (24 solo), including 3.0 sacks, eight pass defenses (including two interceptions) and one forced fumble.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Back from IR, still questionable
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Melifonwu (hand) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.
Melifonwu is back on Detroit's active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, but he's still listed as questionable on the injury report. If cleared for action, Melifonwu will provide valuable safety depth for the banged-up Lions defense.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Could return in Week 16
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Melifonwu (hand) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.
Melifonwu was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday and practiced in full all week, suggesting he could play for the first time this season in Sunday's divisional matchup. However, the Syracuse product must still be added to the active roster in order to suit up in Week 16. If Melifonwu is activated in time, he's expected to serve as Detroit's top reserve safety.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Not close to returning
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Head coach Dan Campbell stated Monday that Melifonwu (ankle) suffered a setback, and "he won't be ready for a while," Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.
Melifonwu had his 21-day window to practice with the team opened on Nov. 6. According to Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com, the Syracuse product suffered a different injury from his original ankle issue. If he is not near ready to play when his window closes Nov. 27, the Lions will either need to use an active roster spot on him anyhow or return him to IR, officially ending his season.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Ruled out for Week 11
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Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Melifonwu remains on injured reserve after his 21-day practice window was opened last Wednesday. He'll get another week of practice ahead of Week 12 against the Colts.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Out again Week 3
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Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona.
Melifonwu continues to nurse an ankle injury that has prevented him from taking the field so far this season. The safety didn't practice in any capacity this week, so it's unclear how close he may be to making a return. Melifonwu's next chance to make his season debut will come on Monday Night Football against Seattle on Sept. 30.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Doubtful for opener
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Melifonwu (ankle) is doubtful for Detroit's season opener against the Rams after logging limited practices all week, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.
Melifonwu has been unable to log a full practice this week, and he'll now likely miss out on the Lions' first game of the year. The 6-foot-2 safety's status should be revealed closer to kickoff, but a doubtful tag is not promising. He recorded 33 tackles (24 solo), 3.0 sacks, eight passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble in the 2023 season, which was his third with Detroit.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Status for Sunday in question
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Melifonwu (undisclosed) is the only injury concern for the Lions in Week 1, head coach Dan Campbell stated Monday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Melifonwu's injury details are unclear other than the fact he's considered questionable for Week 1 at this time. Melifonwu's practice status in the days ahead should shed some light on his potential availability as the team's season opener approaches.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Will suit up
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Melifonwu (hand) is active Sunday against the Bears.
Melifonwu dealt with a hand injury throughout the week, but he was able to log back-to-back full practices Thursday and Friday and will now be good to take the field Sunday.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Showing well at safety
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Melifonwu stood out at safety during recent minicamp practices, John Maakaron of Sports Illustrated reports.
Melifonwu, who began converting from cornerback to safety last season, will need to keep the momentum going into training camp in order to claim a significant role behind Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph and 2023 second-round pick Brian Branch.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Will miss another game
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Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Melifonwu suffered the injury during the team's Week 5 loss to New England and will be out for the second consecutive game. He was unable to practice in any capacity throughout the week and also had the team's Week 6 bye to recover, so the issue appears to be significant.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Won't face Cowboys
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Melifonwu (ankle) is out for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.
Melifonwu exited Detroit's Week 5 matchup against New England with an ankle injury and failed to practice in any capacity this week. He's managed to suit up for only two games this season, as he was previously bothered by a hamstring injury.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Full participant Wednesday
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Melifonwu (hamstring) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.
Melifonwu missed the first two games of the campaign due to a hamstring issue, but it appears he'll be available to make his season debut in Week 3. As a rookie, the 2021 third-round pick recorded 15 tackles across seven appearances, and he figures to garner a similar backup role behind Tracy Walker and DeShon Elliott in 2022.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Out against Eagles
Rotowire
Melifonwu (hamstring) is inactive Week 1 against the Eagles.
The second-year reserve safety had entered the week with a "doubtful" tag after logging limited practices each time out, so it's no surprise to see Melifonwu on the inactive list. Instead, Kerby Joseph would now appear to be in line to serve as the backup to starting strong safety Tracy Walker.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Dealing with undisclosed injury
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Melifonwu missed the end of the Lions' offseason workouts due to an undisclosed injury, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.
While the nature of Melifonwu's situation isn't clear, the Lions don't appear to be concerned that he's dealing with a severe injury. What's more clear is that the 23-year-old will be playing a lot of safety this fall after being drafted as a cornerback in the third round last year, only to practice at safety throughout this offseason. Given the number of promising young cornerbacks on the roster compared to the depth Detroit has at safety, this position change could be his best path to consistent playing time, especially if Jeff Okudah (Achilles) can get healthy.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Activated for Week 15
Rotowire
Melifonwu (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Melifonwu missed the team's Week 14 loss to the Broncos, though he should be ready to retake the field Sunday against the Cardinals. He's managed to play in only three games this season due to a thigh injury, and has been limited primarily to a special teams role when active.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Returns to practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Melifonwu (thigh) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Melifonwu returned to practice Wednesday, which starts the 21-day window for him to be added to the active roster. If he isn't added, he will revert back to injured reserve for the remainder of the season. The rookie cornerback hasn't played since Week 2, but it appears his return to action may be on the horizon.
