Ifeatu Melifonwu is set to make his season debut in Week 12. The fourth-year safety was activated from injured reserve on Monday, per a team announcement.
Melifonwu returned to practice earlier this month, opening his three-week activation window. He was not moved to the active roster in time for Detroit’s Week 10 or 11 contests, but now he will be eligible to suit up for the first time in 2024. An ankle injury landed him on IR in September, and the Lions’ secondary has been shorthanded ever since.
Down the stretch and through the playoffs last season, Melifonwu operated as a safety starter. The Lions still have Kerby Joseph in place at that spot, though, and the decision to move Brian Branch there from slot corner has given them an effective first-team tandem. Melifonwu, 25, will look to establish himself as a depth presence and a special teams contributor upon return. As a pending free agent, his play over the coming weeks will be key in determining the former third-rounder’s market value.
In a corresponding roster move, linebacker Alex Anzalone was moved to injured reserve. He suffered a broken forearm in yesterday’s contest, leaving him in position for a multi-week recovery period. Today’s move ensures at least a four-game absence before Anzalone will be eligible to return to action. Bringing him back into the fold will use up one of the six IR activations Detroit now has given the Melifonwu move.
The Lions also added David Long via a practice squad deal. The veteran linebacker was waived by the Dolphins last week not long after losing his starting role on defense. Miami elevated Anthony Walker to first-team duties, leaving Long out of the organization in short order. No team put in a claim for the 28-year-old, but he has quickly managed to land a gig as a free agent.
Of course, the fact Long has signed with Detroit comes as no surprise given Anzalone’s injury. The latter has remained a full-time starter on defense this season, so his absence will test the Lions’ depth at the second level. Long – who has 75 games and 49 starts to his name – could soon find himself being elevated to the active roster as at least a rotational option at the LB spot.
