Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Boston, MA |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Syracuse |
| Experience: 6 |
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2:44NFL Week 8 Picks: TNF Panthers at Packers
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1:52NFL Week 8 Picks: Falcons at Buccaneers
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2:00Buccaneers Keep Season Alive
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1:25Buccaneers Sail Past Panthers in Baker Mayfield's Return
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1:59Falcons Soar, Hand 49ers First Loss of Season
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1:49Turnovers Doom 49ers Against Falcons
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0:54Baker Mayfield on Track to Return vs. Panthers
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1:55Vintage Aaron Rodgers on Display in Comeback Win
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63:03Russell Wilson and Kyle Long react to NFL Week 6: Jalen Hurts news, Caleb Williams' return & more | Set, Hut!
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1:27NFL Week 7 Picks: Buccaneers at Panthers
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1:20JP's Player of the Week: Buccaneers' David Walker
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1:50Packers Cruise Over Dak and the Cowboys in Week 6
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0:15'JALEN RAMSEY CALLS GAME!' Steelers DB comes up with game-clinching sack in OT
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0:24Aaron Rodgers Hits Darnell Washington for Steelers TD
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0:16Steelers defense makes THE play with last-minute interception to set up clutch field goal
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2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
|
INT
Interceptions
|
TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
|
FUM
Forced Fumbles
|
SCK
Sacks
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Top Ifeatu Melifonwu News
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Buccaneers' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Expected to start against Dallas
Head coach Todd Bowles said Melifonwu is likely to start at safety Thursday night against Dallas, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.
With Antoine Winfield (ribs) set to miss 2-to-4 weeks, it appears Melifonwu is next in line to start in Tampa Bay's secondary. Across four appearances this season, Melifonwu has recorded just one tackle (one solo) on just four defensive snaps and another 67 on special teams.
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Buccaneers' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Signed to Bucs' active roster
The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Melifonwu was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for each of the Buccaneers' first three games of the regular season. He played solely on special teams in each of those contests, and he'll continue to serve that role now that he's on the 53-man roster while providing depth in the secondary.
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Buccaneers' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Signs with Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu to a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Melifonwu had a career-high in tackles (53) over 16 regular-season games as a Dolphin in 2025. The safety will now stand ready behind Tykee Smith at strong safety. The 25-year-old could see some action in Cover 3, but will likely be the team's primary depth option in 2026.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Staring down free agency
Melifonwu made a career-high 53 tackles (31 solo), including 1.0 sacks, across 16 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2025. He also had one pass defensed, including one interception.
Melifonwu inked a one-year deal with Miami last March and appeared locked into a starting gig at safety for the team, but he ultimately played more than 70 percent of defensive snaps in only five of his 16 appearances. The 26-year-old will figure to compete for a rotational role elsewhere in the league in free agency.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Cleared to suit up Monday
Melifonwu (thumb/groin) does not have an injury designation for Monday's Week 15 clash against the Steelers, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.
A pair of injuries held Melifonwu to consecutive limited practices to begin the week, but he was able to record a full session Saturday. As such, the defensive back is good to go for Monday Night Football. Melifonwu has often worked in a rotational role in the Dolphins' secondary but has logged a snap count above 50 percent in each of the team's past four games.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Able to suit up Week 14
Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is active for Sunday's matchup versus the Jets.
Melifonwu battled a pair of injuries this week but was a full participant in every practice. It's therefore no surprise that he'll play against New York despite being deemed questionable on Friday's final injury report. Melifonwu has seen his role on defense increase of late, as he's logged more than 50 percent of Miami's defensive snaps each of the past three games, and he posted a season-high seven tackles last Sunday against New Orleans.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Questionable for Sunday
Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.
Melifonwu was a full participant in practice all three days this week, but he is still deemed questionable for Sunday's contest. The safety may have more nuanced play circumstances that prevent him from suiting up Sunday, but the practice logs say he is trending towards playing.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Cleared to play Week 9
Melifonwu (hand) is active for Thursday's game against the Ravens.
Melifonwu sustained a hand injury during the Dolphins' Week 8 win over the Falcons, but he has been cleared to play Thursday despite the short week. With Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) sidelined, Melifonwu will likely start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Questionable for TNF
The Dolphins listed Melifonwu (hand) as questionable for Thursday's game against the Ravens, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Melifonwu was able to practice in full Wednesday, but he isn't guaranteed to play Thursday due to a hand injury he sustained during the Dolphins' 34-10 win over the Falcons on Sunday. He would be in line to start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick if Ashtyn Davis -- who is listed as doubtful due to a quad injury -- is not cleared to play. If Melifonwu and Davis are both inactive, then Elijah Campbell would likely get the starting nod at safety next to Fitzpatrick.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Listed as limited again
Melifonwu (hand) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.
Melifonwu was also listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report. He played 86 percent of defensive snaps during Miami's win over the Falcons in Week 8 before being forced off the field due to a hand injury. With Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) still not practicing, it will be crucial for the Dolphins' secondary to have at least him or Melifonwu able to suit up and start at safety versus the Ravens on Thursday.
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