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Rob Ninkovich | Defensive Lineman

Team: New England Patriots
Age / DOB:  (29) / 2/1/1984
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 255
College: Purdue
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

ESPN Boston believes DE Rob Ninkovich is a candidate for a contract extension this offseason.
Ninkovich was among the Patriots' most valuable 2012 defenders, leading the team with eight sacks and forcing five fumbles. Thanks to playing time and performance incentives, his 2013 base salary -- the final year of his contract -- has already jumped from $900,000 to $1.4 million. After the Patriots address free agency, Ninkovich could be in line to get a couple years tacked on. He'll turn 29 on Friday. Jan 29 - 10:09 AM
Source: ESPN Boston

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Player News

Date:
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich (hip) is expected to play in Sunday's Divisional Round game against the Texans.

Ninkovich strained muscles in his hip during Week 17, but got a little work in last week and was a limited participant on Wednesday. Ninkovich led the Patriots with eight sacks this season.
Source: Boston Herald
Jan 10 - 9:57 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich (hip) returned to practice on Thursday.

Ninkovich was lucky to escape serious injury in the regular-season finale. With a week and half to go before the Divisional Round playoff game, the Patriots should have their sack leader back in action.
Source: CSN New England
Jan 3 - 4:49 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich (hip) has "avoided a serious injury" and has a "good chance" to play when the Patriots open up their playoff schedule on January 13.

Ninkovich left Sunday's win over the Dolphins and never returned to the contest, so there was certainly a level of concern for the Patriots' sack master. Reportedly, he's just suffered some "strained muscles in his hip." Ninkovich set a new career-high with eight sacks this season. He'll have two weeks to rest up as the Patriots secured a first-round bye for the postseason.
Source: Boston Herald
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 07:03:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich never returned to the game after sustaining a hip injury in Sunday's win over the Dolphins.

Ninkovich has been New England's top pass rusher this season, leading the team with eight sacks and five forced fumbles. The Pats didn't miss him on Sunday, as they racked up seven sacks in the shutout, including three by undrafted rookie DE Justin Francis and one by Ninkovich's replacement, Trevor Scott. The Patriots have not updated Ninkovich's status.
Related: Trevor Scott, Justin Francis
Source: ESPN Boston
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 12:07:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots OLB Rob Ninkovich has been working with the defensive line in OTAs.

Ninkovich was one of the league's more effective outside linebackers last season, so it could be a sign the Patriots are planning to go with more four-man fronts in 2012. A fifth-round pick in 2006, Ninkovich has seen snaps at end before. Wherever he plays, he'll do so coming off a 74-tackle, 6.5 sack campaign.
Source: ESPN Boston
Sun, Jun 3, 2012 11:20:00 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots signed OLB Rob Ninkovich to a two-year, $4 million extension.

Ninkovich receives a $2 million signing bonus and $900,000 base salaries in 2012 and 2013 on top of his $650,000 salary for 2011. Formerly a longsnapper, Ninkovich started 10 of 16 games with 61 tackles and four sacks last season. He's now a starting linebacker in the 4-3 scheme, moving to defensive end in nickel packages.
Source: Mac's Football Blog
Fri, Sep 16, 2011 08:22:00 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Beat writer Mike Reiss projects Rob Ninkovich and Jermaine Cunningham as the Patriots' starting outside linebackers.

Ninkovich had 61 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions a year ago while playing on early downs. He figures to have the same role this season, with the Patriots likely to go after a pass rusher in free agency as well. Both Matt Roth and Mathias Kiwanuka have been mentioned as possibilities in New England.
Related: Jermaine Cunningham
Source: ESPN Boston
Mon, Jul 25, 2011 09:23:00 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots OLB Rob Ninkovich suggested Thursday that he's fully recovered from his January LCL injury.

Ninkovich was on a recovery timetable of just six weeks of rest and rehab, so he met expectations. He'll be a full participant if there are OTAs this offseason.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Thu, Mar 3, 2011 01:43:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

An MRI on his left knee has revealed an LCL injury for Patriots OLB Rob Ninkovich.

It's great news, as it was feared that Ninkovich might have torn his ACL. Instead, he'll need just six weeks of rest and rehab for the injury. Ninkovich compiled 61 tackles and four sacks for the Patriots during the regular season.
Source: Michael Giardi on Twitter
Mon, Jan 17, 2011 01:23:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich is awaiting the MRI results on his knee after going down in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Jets.

Ninkovich said he has no idea about the severity, but his knee did not swell up. Ninkovich started 10 regular games for the Patriots this season and appeared in all 16, racking up 61 tackles and four sacks.
Source: Boston Herald
Mon, Jan 17, 2011 08:59:00 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a knee injury.

Ninkovich had to be helped off the field. Per beat writer Ian Rapoport, team doctors were doing the ACL/MCL tests on Nickovich's knee before he left the field. "Looks bad," speculates Rapoport. Ninkovich is heading to the locker room, likely done for the afternoon.
Sun, Jan 16, 2011 06:47:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich had two interceptions and a sack in the team's 41-14 victory over the Dolphins.

The picks led to two field goals, but more importantly put an end to two Miami drives. The veteran had the game of his life, but is not an IDP option.
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 01:33:00 AM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

It's believed Rob Ninkovich and Tully Banta-Cain would be the Patriots' starting outside linebackers if the season began today.

The Pats surprisingly didn't go all-out to upgrade their pass rush in the draft. Second-round pick Jermaine Cunningham will get every opportunity to beat out Ninkovich, but it remains to be seen how easily he'll convert from college end to NFL outside linebacker. New England's other options include Shawn Crable, Pierre Woods, Bruce Davis, and Marques Murrell.
Related: Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Bruce Davis
Source: Boston Globe
Mon, Apr 26, 2010 12:20:00 PM
Rob Ninkovich - DL - Patriots

Patriots signed OLB Rob Ninkovich to a contract extension through 2011.

This deal was finalized on Nov. 6, but is just being reported now. Ninkovich gets a $350,000 signing bonus and will make $1.3 million over the next two seasons. He is primarily a special teamer, but with Adalius Thomas constantly in Bill Belichick's doghouse, Ninkovich's playing time on defense could be on the rise.
Source: ESPNBoston.com
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 10:33:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Tom Brady
2Ryan Mallett
3Mike Kafka
RB1Stevan Ridley
2Shane Vereen
3Brandon Bolden
4LeGarrette Blount
5Leon Washington
GLB1Stevan Ridley
2Shane Vereen
3RB1Shane Vereen
2Stevan Ridley
FB1James Develin
2Ben Bartholomew
WR11Danny Amendola
2Julian Edelman
3Donald Jones
4Matt Slater
5T.J. Moe
WR21Aaron Dobson
2Josh Boyce
3Michael Jenkins
4Lavelle Hawkins
5Kenbrell Thompkins
6Mark Harrison
WR31Julian Edelman
TE1Rob Gronkowski
2Aaron Hernandez
3Michael Hoomanawanui
4Daniel Fells
5Jake Ballard
K1Stephen Gostkowski