Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 210 lbs |
| Birthplace: Boston, MA |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Syracuse |
| Experience: 6 |
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2026 Defensive
| STATS |
CMB
Total Tackles
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INT
Interceptions
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TD
Interceptions Returned For Touchdown
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FUM
Forced Fumbles
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SCK
Sacks
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| Regular Season | — | — | — | — | — |
Top Ifeatu Melifonwu News
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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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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Estimated as limited Monday
The Dolphins estimated Melifonwu (hand) as a limited practice participant on Monday's report, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Melifonwu was unable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons after sustaining a hand injury, and he finished the contest with five tackles (four solo) while playing 44 snaps on defense and eight on special teams. The Dolphins are operating on a short week as they play against the Ravens on Thursday, so Melifonwu will have less time to recover prior to that contest. With Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) both dealing with injuries, the Dolphins may have to turn to Elijah Campbell or Dante Trader to start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick for Week 9 against Baltimore.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Departs with hand injury
Melifonwu is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 8 game against Atlanta due to a hand injury.
Melifonwu was deemed questionable around the midway point of the third quarter. He tallied three tackles prior to his exit. Fellow safety Ashtyn Davis exited with a quad injury early in the contest, so Miami has turned to Dante Trader to log snaps in the secondary.
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