$207 Million Superstar Could Be Trade Target For Detroit Lions…
Lions safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Loren Strickland did not practice on Tuesday as preparations ramped up for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Melifonwu is dealing with a lower-body injury that has kept him out since a preseason game in Kansas City. The injury was nagging before that, and Melifonwu’s status for the opener on Sunday night is in question. The first injury report of the week is due Wednesday.
“Still not sure on him,” head coach Dan Campbell said on Sunday. “We’re going to try to get him moving around a little bit … and see where he’s at. Everybody else, we’re good.”
Melifonwu is coming off a breakout third season in Detroit, although he’s been pushed to a bench job due to the position change of Brian Branch. Kerby Joseph is expected to start alongside Branch this season, while Melifonwu should see the field in three-safety packages and when Branch moves to the slot.
Strickland is an undrafted rookie who made the opening-day roster thanks to a strong training camp.
The rest of the roster was in uniform for practice, including defensive tackle DJ Reader, who was recently activated off the physically unable to perform list. Reader was originally expected to return in Week 2, but that timeline could be pushed up to Week 1 depending on how this week goes.
