The Detroit Lions have returned both CB Emmanuel Moseley and S Ifeatu Melifonwu to practice, opening their 21-day evaluation window.
Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell announced on Wednesday that they are starting the evaluation clock on two defensive backs who are currently on injured reserve: cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Both players remain on injured reserve but are eligible to practice immediately. The Lions now have three weeks to decide if they want to activate them to the 53-man roster (making them eligible to play) or shut them down for the rest of the season.
Moseley suffered a torn pec during joint practice with the New York Giants back in August. It was a tough blow for Moseley, who suffered a torn ACL just two snaps into his 2023 season with the Lions. He came into 2024 battling for the starting nickel cornerback job, but after his injury, those duties were given to Amik Robertson.
Melifonwu has been battling an ankle injury since the beginning of the season. He initially avoided injured reserve, but when he wasn’t healing at the rate the Lions had hoped, they placed him on IR in Week 4.
Last year, Melifonwu stepped into a starting role toward the end of the season and thrived. Starting the final five games of the season, Melifonwu logged 3.0 sacks, five QB hits, seven passes defended, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. But injuries have hampered his entire career. Now in Year 4, Melifonwu has played in just 34 games with 11 starts.
Fortunately for the Lions, they have their starting two safeties solidified in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, who have combined for 10 interceptions this season.
In other injury news, Campbell said that linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) did not do much during Wednesday’s walkthrough practice, Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) will be evaluated later in the week, and defensive end Josh Paschal (illness) is expected to return this week.
