Lions activate Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve; waive Brandon Joseph after arrest

The Detroit Lions have activated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu off the injured reserve and waived safety Brandon Joseph following his arrest early Saturday morning.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Joseph was arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence, per the Dearborn Heights Police Department.

Dearborn Heights Police director Paul Vanderplow told the Detroit Free Press that Joseph was pulled over for speeding on Michigan Avenue just before 2 a.m. on Saturday and was taken into custody "for a few hours" before his eventual release.

The Lions haven't yet released an official statement on the matter, but announced Joseph was waived Saturday afternoon, along with wide receiver Maurice Alexander.

Melifonwu has yet to appear in a game this season due to Achilles tendon and finger injuries but he made his return to practice this week. He's listed as questionable to play in Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bears as of Saturday night but it'll surely be a boost if he can give it a go, given Detroit's depleted defense due to injuries.

In other roster moves announced in Week 16, the Lions also waived defensive lineman David Bada from the team's injured reserve with an injury settlement as well as signed three players to its active roster: linebacker Mitchell Agude, wide receiver Tom Kennedy and defensive lineman Chris Smith.

Additionally, the Lions also elevated running back Jermar Jefferson and safety Loren Strickland from the practice squad to the team's active/inactive list.

Detroit and Chicago will kick off at noon CT at Soldier Field on Sunday.