Ifeatu Melifonwu was activated from injured reserve on Monday, a move which made him eligible to suit up as early as Week 12. It will still be several weeks before he makes his season debut, however. 
The fourth-year safety was moved back to IR on Tuesday, per a team announcement. As a result, he will be out for at least the next four games. Melifonwu has yet to suit up in 2024 while rehabbing an ankle injury, and his efforts to return to full health will continue for the foreseeable future. A finger issue encountered in practice will lead to this second stint on the sidelines.
Briefly activating the 25-year-old prevented him from seeing his original 21-day return window expire, something which would have ended his season. Instead, Melifonwu will reset the process of returning to practice later in the campaign once he is in position, health-wise, to do so. Head coach Dan Campbell said (via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News) there is still a possibility the former third-rounder could suit up in 2024.
For the time being, though, the Lions will carry on with their current safety tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. That pairing has drawn praise, and if it remains intact Melifonwu will be slated for a backup/special teams role whenever he returns to the lineup. The Syracuse product is a pending free agent, so his missed time in 2024 will hinder his market value, and his performances if he does mange to see the field this year could be key in boosting his stock.
Detroit ranks 27th against the pass with an average of 233 yards surrendered per game through the air. Getting a key member of the secondary back in the form of Melifonwu (who made nine combined regular and postseason starts last year) would thus be a welcomed development for the NFC-leading Lions. The team has six IR activations remaining, and using a second one on Melifonwu will be needed for him to see playing time.
Some guys miss games due to hangnails, some guys play on a broken ankle. Some are Deebo Samuel or Tee Higgins, one awkward step and hamstring strain away from crutches and wheelchairs, some are Frank Ragnow playing with a fractured throat. Iffy missed time with a sprained ankle. And a broken toe. And a thigh bruise. And now….a finger? You’re not a receiver, Iffy, and a finger is a long way from your heart. Some guys take Day Quil and go to work with a fever…and guys like Iffy lay in bed moaning and asking for mom to bring chicken soup.
Sorry for the delay in the release of this transaction.
Unfortunately, the Lion’s Press Department
Took MULTIPLE passes at correctly spelling:
IFEATU MELIFONWU