On Monday afternoon, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided an update on safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, revealing that a new finger injury will keep him sidelined for a significant amount of time. Melifonwu, who had recently returned to practice following an ankle injury sustained earlier in the season, was in the midst of a 21-day evaluation period for that injury. Unfortunately, the new finger injury will prevent him from being ready for action anytime soon.
Campbell confirmed that the finger injury is severe enough to alter the Lions’ plans for Melifonwu’s recovery. While he was expected to be activated to the 53-man roster by November 27 based on the original ankle injury, the new issue with his finger changes the timeline. The coach explained that the new injury resets the situation, and Melifonwu’s return will depend on different rules, which are not fully clear at this point.
Due to these complications, it is uncertain when, or if, Melifonwu will return this season. There is a possibility that the Lions could activate him from injured reserve only to place him back on the list immediately, which would cause him to miss at least another four games. While the specifics of his potential return are unclear, it’s evident that Melifonwu will be out for a while, and there is no immediate expectation for him to rejoin the field.
This is yet another setback for Melifonwu, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Since being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he has played in just 34 games over three and a half seasons, with 11 starts. Although he finished the 2023 season strong and was expected to play a significant role in the defense this year, this latest injury could derail those plans, potentially limiting his future with the team.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for Melifonwu, as the Lions are dealing with another defensive setback. With linebacker Alex Anzalone expected to miss six to eight weeks with a broken forearm, Melifonwu had been in line to step up as a third linebacker. Given that Melifonwu is in the final year of his rookie contract, this season’s injuries could ultimately end his tenure with the Lions if he is unable to return to the field.
