IFEATU MELIFONWU NEWS

Lions place S Ifeatu Melifonwu on IR for second time Melifonwu has yet to play a game in the 2024 season.

3 DAYS AGO • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Back to injured reserve The Lions placed Melifonwu (undisclosed) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact 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.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Activated Monday The Lions activated Melifonwu (ankle) from injured reserve Monday.

Impact Despite head coach Dan Campbell telling reporters 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 last week Friday after sustaining a different injury than the one that landed him on IR, leaving his status for Detroit's Week 12 matchup against the Colts uncertain. His participation in practice throughout this week will likely offer the best indication of whether he can return to the field Sunday.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not close to returning Head coach Dan Campell stated Monday that Melifonwu (ankle) suffered a setback, and 'he won't be ready for a while," Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News reports.

Impact Melifonwu had his 21-day window to practice with the team opened on Nov. 6. His setback could jeopardize his return this season, as the Syracuse product will need to be placed on the 53-man roster no later than Nov. 27. If he is not near ready to play, the Lions will either need to use an active roster spot on him anyway, or return him to IR, officially ending his season.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Week 11 Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return for Week 10 Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Houston.

Impact Melifonwu has been on injured reserve since late September due to an ankle injury he suffered in Week 1, but his 21-day practice window to return from IR opened Wednesday, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site. He was a full practice participant all week, and while he won't suit up Sunday, he has good chance at playing in Week 11 against Jacksonville on Sunday, Nov. 17.

NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: Lions have defensive help on the way with Ifeatu Melifonwu, Emmanuel Moseley Za'Darius Smith may not be elite, but he might be key to a Detroit Lions' Super Bowl run

NOVEMBER 7 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Shifts to IR Melifonwu (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Justin Rogers of DetroitFootball.net reports.

Impact Melifonwu has yet to appear in a game this season after sustaining an ankle injury during Lions' practice in early September. The Syracuse product will now be forced to miss Detroit's next four contests after moving to IR. Expect Brandon Joseph to serve as Detroit's top reserve safety while Menifonwu continues recovering from his ankle issue.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Week 3 Melifonwu (ankle) is ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu 'progressing' but still out with injury Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu ‘progressing’ but still out with an ankle injury that’s kept him from practicing for over a month

SEPTEMBER 20 • USATODAY.COM

Won't play Week 2 Melifonwu (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Buccaneers.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Opens week as DNP Melifonwu (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday's practice session.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Sunday Melifonwu (ankle) will be inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Rams.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact Melifonwu will 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 true 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.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Limited participant Thursday Melifonwu (ankle) was limited during Thursday's practice session.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact Melifonwu's injury details are unclear, other than the Syracuse product can be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams. His practice status in the days ahead should shed some light on his potential availability as the team's season opener approaches.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

THE DAILY DRIVE: What does Brian Branch's move to safety mean for Lions' Ifeatu Melifonwu? Some subtle signs point to why Detroit Lions are legit Super Bowl contenders

AUGUST 2 • DETROITLIONS.COM

What's next for Melifonwu after breakout third season? After coming on strong to finish last season, what is next for Detroit Lions defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu?

JUNE 9 • DETROITLIONS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Reeves-Maybin and Melifonwu combine forces for blitzing sack of Mayfield Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu combine forces for blitzing sack of Tampa Bay Buccaneers qu...

JANUARY 21 • DETROITLIONS.COM

Ifeatu Melifonwu picks off Prescott in the redzone Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu picks off Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the redzone in Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season.

DECEMBER 31, 2023 • NFL.COM

Detroit Lions Ifeatu Melifonwu Planned Trolling Vikings After Interception Ifeatu Melifonwu taking advantage of opportunity.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Detroit Lions Ifeatu Melifonwu Planned Trolling Vikings After Interception Ifeatu Melifonwu taking advantage of opportunity.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

It's finally clicking for Ifeatu Melifonwu, whose interception saves day for Lions Detroit secured its first division title in 30 years Sunday thanks to Melifonwu's first NFL pick. "I feel like it was my time," he said.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM