Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Cleared to play Week 9
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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
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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
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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: Past calf injury
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Melifonwu (calf) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.
Melifonwu was unable to play against the Bills in Week 3 due to a calf injury that he suffered during the Dolphins' Week 2 loss to the Patriots. His ability to practice in full Thursday indicates that he should suit up in Monday's AFC East clash against the Jets, barring a setback. Melifonwu has logged 10 tackles (nine solo) through two games this season.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Comes off NFI list
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The Dolphins activated Melifonwu (undisclosed) off the active/non-football injury list Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Melifonwu began training camp on the NFI list, but he was able to participate in his first practice Saturday, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. The former Detroit Lion could push for a Week 1 starting role over the remainder of training camp, especially if the ankle injury Ashtyn Davis suffered last Tuesday lingers into the regular season.
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Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu: Moving on to Miami
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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: 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: 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
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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.
