If you thought the fireworks between the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins would be all touchdowns and highlight-reel plays, think again. Wednesday’s joint practice at Allen Park ended with some literal fireworks, courtesy of Jameson Williams and a familiar face in a Dolphins uniform.
According to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit, the Lions’ first-team offense capped an utterly lopsided day by marching down the field in just 54 simulated seconds. Jared Goff targeted Williams on the final play, but an illegal contact penalty on Miami away from the ball killed any hope of seeing the young wideout haul in the “game-winner.” The Lions didn’t even bother lining up for the chip-shot field goal. Whistles blew, players started to head off… and that’s when things got chippy.
Williams vs. Melifonwu
Just moments after the final rep, Williams was spotted throwing punches at Dolphins safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. Yes, the same Melifonwu who spent his first four NFL seasons in Detroit before signing a one-year, $3 million deal with Miami this offseason. The scuffle only lasted a few seconds before teammates rushed in to separate the two.
Nobody got hurt, but the brief dust-up stood out on what was otherwise a fairly controlled day. Sure, there had been the usual post-whistle shoves here and there, but Williams’ exchange with Melifonwu had a bit more… heat.
The Reactions
Melifonwu declined formal interviews but casually told reporters while walking by, “It’s football.”
Williams? He took to Instagram to share his thoughts, not exactly the old-fashioned post-practice locker room quote, but in 2025, that’s par for the course.
A Little History
Melifonwu was Detroit’s third-round pick in 2021 and played his entire rookie contract in the Motor City. Known for his physicality and versatility in the secondary, he saw plenty of action in big games over the past few seasons before heading to Miami.
Bottom Line
Joint practices are meant to simulate game intensity, and Wednesday’s session delivered. The Lions dominated the scoreboard, and when the dust settled (literally), one of their young stars walked away from a brief skirmish with a former teammate.
If there’s one takeaway? Detroit isn’t just winning these joint practices, they’re doing it with an edge.