Ifeatu Melifonwu - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Expected to start against Dallas Head coach Todd Bowles said Melifonwu is likely to start at safety Thursday night against Dallas, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Impact With Antoine Winfield (ribs) set to miss 2-to-4 weeks, it appears Melifonwu is next in line to start in Tampa Bay's secondary. Across four appearances this season, Melifonwu has recorded just one tackle (one solo) on just four defensive snaps and another 67 on special teams.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Signed to Bucs' active roster The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Melifonwu was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for each of the Buccaneers' first three games of the regular season. He played solely on special teams in each of those contests, and he'll continue to serve that role now that he's on the 53-man roster while providing depth in the secondary.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Bucs Elevate Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu Again With just three safeties on the 53-man roster, and with Miles Killebrew questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, the Bucs have act...

SEPTEMBER 19 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Buccaneers' new veteran enters camp with more value than fans are giving him The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made an early camp addition to fix their deep secondary depth, but Ifeatu Melifonwu isn't going to accept a backup...

JULY 31 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Signs with Tampa Bay The Buccaneers signed Melifonwu to a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Melifonwu had a career-high in tackles (53) over 16 regular-season games as a Dolphin in 2025. The safety will now stand ready behind Tykee Smith at strong safety. The 25-year-old could see some action in Cover 3, but will likely be the team's primary depth option in 2026.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Buccaneers bolster safety depth with savvy signing The Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressed their thin depth in the secondary by signing veteran safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.

JULY 29 • THEPEWTERPLANK.COM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign Former Dolphins Starting Safety The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have added to their defensive back room, signing former Miami Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu to a contract, per h...

JULY 29 • SI.COM

Rebuilding Dolphins select OT Kadyn Proctor and CB Chris Johnson in 1st round of NFL draft

The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor 12th overall, then traded up to pick San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson at No. 27 on Thursday night in the...

APRIL 24 • Associated Press

Miami's new GM Sullivan bringing Packers' blueprint of building team foundation through NFL draft

Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan arrived in Miami with a reputation for evaluating talent after spending two decades identifying high-end playmakers for Green Bay

APRIL 15 • Associated Press

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.

FEBRUARY 14 • 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

IFEATU MELIFONWU NEWS

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Rebuilding Dolphins select OT Kadyn Proctor and CB Chris Johnson in 1st round of NFL draft

Miami's new GM Sullivan bringing Packers' blueprint of building team foundation through NFL draft

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