Detroit Lions place safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve

Dan Campbell was terse when asked for an update on Ifeatu Melifonwu’s health Saturday morning.

By Saturday afternoon, the Detroit Lions had placed Melifonwu on injured reserve.

Melifonwu, who had a strong finish to the 2023 season, has not played this year due to an ankle/Achilles injury he suffered in training camp.

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He was expected to play as a rotational at safety this fall, though the Lions have gotten strong play from starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

Joseph (two) and Branch (one) have accounted for all three of the Lions’ interceptions this year.

Melifonwu, in the final year of his rookie contract, had two interceptions and three sacks in six starts last season after missing 17 games his first two years with injuries.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions place safety Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve