Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is still dealing with an Achilles injury (not a tear), but one thing we do know is that he hasn’t practiced or even been at the facility in over a week. Head coach Dan Campbell shared an update on Melifonwu following Saturday’s preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Not sure. He’s been out for a little while,” Campbell said Saturday. “Nothing that we feel like is long-term, yet it’s continuing to take a little while. So I’m not too sure on that one. I don’t know when we’ll have him back or if he’ll be back what that timeline is.”
Campbell believes the injury is not a long-term issue. Melifonwu played in all 17 games last season, starting six. He was a top-ten safety in terms of defensive grades from Pro Football Focus and had the interception against the Minnesota Vikings that clinched the Lions’ first division title in 30 years.
With Brian Branch moving to safety this season, Melifonwu may not have as big of a role this season. Kerby Joseph and Brandon Joseph are also in the running to start opposite Branch. Now it’s a matter of how long he’ll be out for with his injury, a timeframe no one is sure of right now. Injuries have been an issue for Melifonwu throughout his NFL career, unfortunately.