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Top Ifeatu Melifonwu News
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Won't play Week 2
Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Buccaneers.
Melifonwu being ruled out for Sunday's affair comes as no surprise, as the 25-year-old was held out of practice all week due to an ankle injury. Expect Brandon Joseph and Loren Strickland to serve as the Lions' reserve safeties while Melifonwu remains sidelined.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Opens week as DNP
Melifonwu (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice session.
Despite logging three consecutive limited practices last week, Melifonwu was unable to suit up for Week 1 against the Rams. The fact that the 2021 third-round pick wasn't able to practice in any capacity Wednesday doesn't bode well for his chances of playing against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Melifonwu will have two more chances Thursday and Friday to see the field and prepare for Week 2.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Ruled out Sunday
Melifonwu (ankle) will be inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Rams.
Melifonwu has been nursing an ankle injury at practice this week and he'll be forced to miss the team's opener versus Los Angeles. The safety was able to participate in a limited capacity at practice during the week, so he'll likely be able to return to the field sooner rather than later.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Doubtful for opener
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: Limited participant Thursday
Melifonwu (ankle) was limited during Thursday's practice session.
Melifonwu appears to have sustained an ankle injury earlier in the week. His participation in Friday's practice session will provide a clearer picture as to whether he can suit up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Rams. Melifonwu played in all 17 regular-season games for Detroit last season, and he finished with 33 tackles (24 solo), including 3.0 sacks, eight passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Status for Sunday in question
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: Strong finish to 2023 campaign
Melifonwu recorded 33 tackles, 3.0 sacks, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble over 17 regular-season games in 2023.
Seeing extended playing time just twice in the first 12 games of the season, Melifonwu ended the year with a bang after being pushed into a large role for a second time in Week 14. From that point on, the Syracuse product did enough to finish the season tied for second among safeties in sacks and top 20 in passes defended despite seeing more than seven percent of the defensive snaps in just seven of 17 games. Melifonwu then finished tied for third among all players in sacks (2.0) and 11th in tackles (16) during the postseason. Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, the 2021 third-rounder seems headed for a big role in 2024 regardless of any additions the Lions could make to the secondary this offseason.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Records INT in second straight game
Melifonwu had three solo tackles and an interception in Saturday's 20-19 loss to the Cowboys.
Melifonwu's interception came on the Cowboys' first possession of the game when he picked off Dak Prescott on a pass intended for CeeDee Lamb and returned it for 24 yards. It's the second straight game Melifonwu has registered an INT and the third time in four contests that he's recorded at least 61 snaps on defense. He's been the starting strong safety the past four games, but he should see his snap count drop if C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) returns from IR.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Snags game-clinching interception
Melifonwu totaled five tackles, including two sacks, and two pass breakups with one interception during Sunday's win over the Vikings.
Logging at least 98 percent of the defensive snaps for the third straight game, Melifonwu put together another impressive stat line with no component more important than the game-sealing interception he snagged with little time left in regulation. However, his pass-rushing prowess has also been impressive, considering Melifonwu went from zero sacks a couple of weeks ago to being tied for third among safeties with three sacks in his last two games. The 2021 third-round pick will look to keep rolling in a Week 17 showdown with the Cowboys.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Productive in win
Melifonwu registered nine tackles (six solo), including a sack, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble in Detroit's 42-17 win versus Denver on Saturday.
Melifonwu had a dominant outing Sunday, finishing with a new season high for tackles and also logged the first full sack of his career. The 24-year-old has now compiled 20 tackles (13 solo) in 14 appearances this season.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Boston, MA |
| Age: 25 |
| School: Syracuse |
| Experience: 4 |