Ifeatu Melifonwu - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Staring down free agency Melifonwu made a career-high 53 tackles (31 solo), including 1.0 sacks, across 16 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2025. He also had one pass defensed, including one...

Impact Melifonwu inked a one-year deal with Miami last March and appeared locked into a starting gig at safety for the team, but he ultimately only played more than 70 percent of defensive snaps in five of his 16 appearances. The 26-year-old will figure to compete for a rotational role elsewhere in the league in free agency.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lions' Safety Problems Could Lead Them to an Ifeatu Melifonwu Reunion The Detroit Lions must upgrade their safety depth this offseason, which could lead them to a potential reunion with Ifeatu Melifonwu in free...

FEBRUARY 11 • DETROITJOCKCITY.COM

Cleared to suit up Monday Melifonwu (thumb/groin) does not have an injury designation for Monday's Week 15 clash against the Steelers, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact A pair of injuries held Melifonwu to consecutive limited practices to begin the week, but he was able to record a full session Saturday. As such, the defensive back is good to go for Monday Night Football. Melifonwu has often worked in a rotational role in the Dolphins' secondary but has logged a snap count above 50 percent in each of the team's past four games.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Able to suit up Week 14 Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is active for Sunday's matchup versus the Jets.

Impact Melifonwu battled a pair of injuries this week but was a full participant in every practice. It's therefore no surprise that he'll play against New York despite being deemed questionable on Friday's final injury report. Melifonwu has seen his role on defense increase of late, as he's logged over 50 percent of Miami's defensive snaps each of the past three games, and he posted a season-high seven tackles last Sunday against New Orleans.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Melifonwu (thumb/groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Impact Melifonwu was a full participant in practice all three days this week, but he is still deemed questionable for Sunday's contest. The safety may have more nuanced play circumstances that prevent him from suiting up Sunday, but the practice logs say he is trending towards playing.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Allen's turnovers costly as Bills' win streak against Dolphins ends

Josh Allen didn’t make any excuses after Sunday’s flat performance against the Miami Dolphins

NOVEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

Dolphins end seven-game losing streak against Bills with 30-13 win

Tua Tagovailoa threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, De’Von Achane added a pair of rushing scores and the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills 30-13 to end a seven-game losing s...

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Cleared to play Week 9 Melifonwu (hand) is active for Thursday's game against the Ravens.

Impact Melifonwu sustained a hand injury during the Dolphins' Week 8 win over the Falcons, but he has been cleared to play Thursday despite the shortened week. With Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) sidelined, Melifonwu will likely start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for TNF The Dolphins listed Melifonwu (hand) as questionable for Thursday's game against the Ravens, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact Melifonwu was able to practice in full Wednesday, but he isn't guaranteed to play Thursday due to a hand injury he sustained during the Dolphins' 34-10 win over the Falcons on Sunday. He would be in line to start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick if Ashtyn Davis -- who is listed as doubtful due to a quad injury -- is not cleared to play. If Melifonwu and Davis were both ruled out, then Elijah Campbell would likely get the starting nod at safety next to Fitzpatrick.

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as limited again Melifonwu (hand) was a limited participant in Tuesday's walkthrough practice, C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Melifonwu was also listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report. He played 86 percent of defensive snaps during Miami's win over the Falcons in Week 8 before being forced off the field due to a hand injury. With Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) still not practicing, it will be crucial for the Dolphins' secondary if at least one of he and/or Melifonwu is able to suit up and start at safety versus the Ravens on Thursday.

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Estimated as limited Monday The Dolphins estimated Melifonwu (hand) as a limited practice participant on Monday's report, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact Melifonwu was unable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons after sustaining a hand injury, and he finished the contest with five tackles (four solo) while playing 44 snaps on defense and eight on special teams. The Dolphins are operating on a short week as they play against the Ravens on Thursday, so Melifonwu will have less time to recover prior to that contest. With Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) both dealing with injuries, the Dolphins may have to turn to Elijah Campbell or Dante Trader to start at safety alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick for Week 9 against Baltimore.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Departs with hand injury Melifonwu is questionable to return to Sunday's Week 8 game against Atlanta due to a hand injury.

Impact Melifonwu was deemed questionable around the midway point of the third quarter. He tallied three tackles prior to his exit. Fellow safety Ashtyn Davis exited with a quad injury early in the contest, so Miami has turned to Dante Trader to log snaps in the secondary.

OCTOBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Past calf injury Melifonwu (calf) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Melifonwu was unable to play against the Bills in Week 3 due to a calf injury that he suffered during the Dolphins' Week 2 loss to the Patriots. His ability to practice in full Thursday indicates that he should suit up in Monday's AFC East clash against the Jets, barring a setback. Melifonwu has logged 10 tackles (nine solo) through two games this season.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Officially out for Week 3 Melifonwu (calf) is ruled out for Thursday's road game against the Bills, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Melifonwu suffered a calf injury Week 2 against the Patriots and hasn't resumed practicing in any capacity since, making it unsurprising to see him now ruled out for Thursday Night Football. In his stead, Ashtyn Davis looks set to start alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick versus Buffalo. Melifonwu's next opportunity to retake the field will come Monday, Sept. 29 versus the Jets.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dolphins players back coach Mike McDaniel as he faces mounting pressure amid 0-2 start

Mike McDaniel knows the weight of Miami’s 0-2 start ultimately rests on his shoulders

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Likely out for Week 3 Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday that Melifonwu (calf) is unlikely to play in Thursday night's matchup against the Bills, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Senti...

Impact The first-year Dolphin appears to have picked up a calf injury in Miami's Week 2 loss to the Patriots, though he still managed to record four total tackles across 33 defensive snaps. While McDaniel didn't officially rule Melifonwu out for Week 3, he mentioned the difficulty of dealing with soft-tissue injuries on a short week. Melifonwu's practice participation will likely provide the the best indication of his availability Thursday night, but if he's unable to go, expect Ashtyn Davis to start alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu explains what led to fight after Day 1 practice with Lions Trash talking and hard feelings between the Dolphins' Ifeatu Melifonwu and Detroit's Jameson Williams led to a post-practice incident Aug. 1...

AUGUST 15, 2025 • PALMBEACHPOST.COM

Detroit Lions practice with Dolphins ends with skirmish between Jameson Williams, ex-Lion Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams said there was no bad blood between him and former Detroit safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, now with the Miami Dol...

AUGUST 13, 2025 • FREEP.COM

Jameson Williams, Ifeatu Melifonwu react to fight at Dolphins-Lions practice | Sporting News Jameson Williams and Ifeatu Melifonwu reacted to their fight towards the end of joint practice between the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins

AUGUST 13, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Comes off NFI list The Dolphins activated Melifonwu (undisclosed) off the active/non-football injury list Saturday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Melifonwu began training camp on the NFI list, but he was able to participate in his first practice Saturday, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. The former Detroit Lion could push for a Week 1 starting role over the remainder of training camp, especially if the ankle injury Ashtyn Davis suffered last Tuesday lingers into the regular season.

AUGUST 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dolphins sign OL Germain Ifedi with starter Austin Jackson out several weeks with an injury

Dolphins starting offensive tackle Austin Jackson will miss several weeks with a leg injury after being stepped on at practice but is expected to return by Miami’s season opener ag...

AUGUST 3, 2025 • Associated Press

Critical Dolphins Acquistion Finally Makes Practice Debut The Miami Dolphins will finally see one of their more critical free agent acquisitions on the practice field Sunday. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu...

AUGUST 3, 2025 • SI.COM

Dolphins Make Roster Moves The Miami Dolphins announced today that they have signed offensive lineman Germain Ifedi and waived quarterback Brett Gabbert. The team also...

AUGUST 3, 2025 • MIAMIDOLPHINS.COM

Lands on NFI list The Dolphins placed Melifonwu (undisclosed) on the active/non-football injury list Tuesday, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Impact Melifonwu dealt with a hamstring injury at the end of last season, but his placement on the NFI would suggest he's dealing with some sort of injury he suffered while working out away from the team. After spending the first four years of his career in Detroit, Melifonwu inked a one-year deal with the Dolphins back in March.

JULY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dolphins place tight end Darren Waller, guard Liam Eichenberg on PUP list as training camp opens

The Miami Dolphins have placed recently signed tight end Darren Waller on the physically unable to perform list along with veteran guard Liam Eichenberg

JULY 22, 2025 • Associated Press

IFEATU MELIFONWU NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Josh Allen's turnovers costly as Bills' win streak against Dolphins ends

Dolphins end seven-game losing streak against Bills with 30-13 win

Dolphins players back coach Mike McDaniel as he faces mounting pressure amid 0-2 start

Dolphins sign OL Germain Ifedi with starter Austin Jackson out several weeks with an injury

Dolphins place tight end Darren Waller, guard Liam Eichenberg on PUP list as training camp opens