When Veteran Safety Returns, 'Best Guy Plays'
The Detroit Lions will get a major part of their defense back in the coming weeks, as C.J. Gardner-Johnson has returned to practice. The safety could return to game action as soon as this week.
Detroit will have decisions to make in the secondary when he returns. Gardner-Johnson will play a major role, but Ifeatu Melifonwu is also proving worthy of playing increased reps next to Kerby Joseph.
With Melifonwu's emergence in recent weeks, particularly with a career-best game last week against Denver, there will be competition for the starting spots at safety.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has always been a performance-based coach, allowing players to earn playing time through strong performances in practice. That will be no different when Gardner-Johnson returns to the fold.
"Best guy plays. Best guy plays," Glenn said. "It's simple. So whoever the best guy is in practice, that's who is gonna play."
Detroit's third-year defensive coordinator made it a point to downplay any potential controversies that could arise with a team decision made.
Having multiple defensive backs gives the coaching staff more options when deciding on playing time, which bodes well for Glenn's defense, heading into a playoff push.
Melifonwu brings a unique skill set to Detroit's secondary. He has length and is good in coverage as a converted cornerback, but still has the physicality to act as a safety.
The Lions still have high hopes for the player, and could find ways to integrate both he and Gardner-Johnson in packages when the veteran returns.
"I'm a big fan of safeties that have a corner background, and that's one of the reasons (Melifonwu) is here," Glenn said. "Because he's able to cover like we need to like a corner, but he's tough enough, physical enough as a safety to get down in the box and go make plays."
Melifonwu served as the team's strong safety in each of the last two weeks. After struggling with injuries throughout his career, the recent stretch of production has been very encouraging.
"One of Iffy's biggest issues was him being healthy for the whole time and then making that transition, that's not an easy transition because he did come in as a corner," Glenn said. "So now he understands exactly what we're looking for in safeties. It's communication, that's what's really improved. He's already a smart guy. So the thing is he still needs time on task. He went out there and he really showed what he could do last week and I'm expecting him to continue to grow."
Notes
1.) The Lions announced that they have signed cornerback Craig James to their practice squad. In a corresponding move, offensive lineman Michael Schofield was released from the practice squad.
James entered the league in 2018 and has played 23 professional games total amongst the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets. He most recently played two games with the Jets earlier this season.
