Oakland Raiders Roster, Injury News 2017: Rookie Safety Obi Melifonwu to Make His NFL Debut This Sunday
Obi Melifonwu is finally ready to come off the injured reserve list and make his National Football League (NFL) debut when the Oakland Raiders take on the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio has confirmed that Melifonwu is expected to suit up for the team this Sunday, but he noted that fans shouldn't expect too much from the rookie in his first game back because he's still working to shake off the rust.
"When a young guy, regardless of how talented they are, misses as much time as he has practicing, he's going to be rusty," Del Rio said, via ESPN. "We've had a couple good weeks to work him in and get him some looks and prepare him," he continued.
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Del Rio also revealed that the Raiders had big plans for Melifonwu before he got hurt, but they are not going to put too much pressure on the rookie's shoulders right out of the gate. The former University of Connecticut standout will have to work for it and prove that he deserves the role first before they hand it to him.
Melifonwu had to deal with ankle and knee injuries during the preseason and he was placed on the injured reserve list after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in September.
Meanwhile, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr already thinks Melifonwu's going to be a special player even though he has yet to play a single regular season game in the pros.
"I think what he's going to be really good at is being able to man-match tight ends. I really think that's an advantage for him. Usually, as a quarterback you see a safety and tight end, we like that. But Obi is the kind of guy who's fast, he's explosive," Carr said on Wednesday, via Raiders Wire.
