Patriots' Ninkovich Suspended 4 Games for Use of Banned Substance

Patriots' Ninkovich Suspended 4 Games for Use of Banned Substance

New England Patriots defense end Rob Ninkovich has been suspended for 4 games after testing positive for a substance that is banned by the NFL. 

"Rob Ninkovich of the New England Patriots has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2016 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. Ninkovich will be eligible to return to the Patriots' active roster on Monday, October 3 following the team's October 2 game against the Buffalo Bills," said the NFL in a statement. 

Since 2010, he is only 1 of 3 players in the league with over 40 sacks and 350 tackles. The other two players are J.J. Watt and Calais Campbell. 

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Ninkovich is recovering from torn triceps and is availability for the Patriots week 1 game against Arizona was uncertain. 

He will not count against the 53-man roster. The Patriots and the rest of the NFL must have their 53-man rosters set by Saturday at 4 p.m.

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