Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Melifonwu (hand) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
On the same day he was designated to return from injured reserve, Melifonwu started out strong with a full practice in the Lions' first official practice of the week Wednesday. He's been sidelined for the entire regular season due to ankle and hand injuries, but if he's able to practice in full over the next two days, he would be on track to make his 2024 regular-season debut against the Bears on Sunday.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Back to injured reserve
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The Lions placed Melifonwu (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Melifonwu was activated from injured reserve Monday but heads back to the list 24 hours later after suffering a setback unrelated to the ankle injury that previously landed him there, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Melifonwu will have to miss at least another four games minimum and won't be eligible to play until Week 16 versus Chicago.
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Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Activated Monday
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The Lions activated Melifonwu (ankle) from injured reserve Monday.
Despite head coach Dan Campbell noting earlier Monday that Melifonwu suffered a setback and "won't be ready for a while," the Lions have added him to their active roster. Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports that Melifonwu didn't practice Friday after sustaining a different injury than the one that landed him on IR. His participation in practice throughout this week will likely offer the best indication of whether he can return to the field Sunday against the Colts.
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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
Rotowire
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
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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.
