Ninkovich was on the field for 69 of 73 defensive snaps in Thursday's season opener against the Steelers, ESPN.com reports.

Ninkovich recorded just four tackles Thursday, but as long as his snap count remains high, he'll remain on the IDP radar, on the heels of a 2014 season, in which he notched 62 tackles and eight sacks.

Ninkovich (heel) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

It looks safe to roll with Ninkovich as you normally would this week. Through 14 games, the defensive end has chipped in 54 tackles and eight sacks, including four in his last five games.

Ninkovich (heel) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets, the Patriots' official site reports.

Ninkovich was on the field for all 78 snaps on defense in last Sunday's win over the Dolphins, so we'd be surprised if he wasn't available this weekend. We'll verify his status as Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff approaches, in any case.

Ninkovich (heel) was on the field for all 78 snaps on defense in Sunday's win over the Dolphins, ESPN.com reports.

Per the report, no NFL defensive lineman has played more snaps this season than Ninkovich, who recorded three tackles and a sack on Sunday.

Ninkovich (heel) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Though limited at practice this week, Ninkovich will give it a go Sunday. The Patriots' starting left defensive end continues to merit attention in IDP formats, having recorded 51 tackles and seven sacks in 13 games to date.

Ninkovich (heel) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, ESPN.com reports.

Ninkovich practiced in a limited fashion all week, but those who have been using him in IDP formats are advised to verify his status in advance of Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff. To date, Ninkovich has recorded 51 tackles and seven sacks in 13 games.

Ninkovich (heel) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, the Patriots' official site reports.

Given that this is the first time that Ninkovich has appeared on the Patriots' injury report this season, per weei.com, the defensive end's status will be worth tracking as Sunday's kickoff against the Dolphins approaches. To date, Ninkovich has recorded 51 tackles and seven sacks in 13 games.

Ninkovich was on the field for 68-of-68 snaps on defense in Sunday's win over the Vikings, ESPN.com reports.

After seeing just 35-of-74 snaps in Week 1, Ninkovich saw full-time duty this past Sunday, while recording three tackles and a sack in the contest. As�long as his workload stabilizes in the coming weeks, Ninkovich should retain utility in IDP formats.

Ninkovich was on the field for 35-of-74 snaps on defense in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, ESPN.com reports.

The report notes that Ninkovich -- who recorded four tackles in the contest -- played 95 percent of the Patriots' defensive snaps in 2013, so his Sunday count is notable. Given his production (91 tackles and eight sacks) last season, IDP owners may want to wait and see if there was an injury in play here, or if his Week 1 usage was game-plan specific.

Ninkovich is not listed on the Patriots' Week 1 injury report.

Ninkovich -- who notched a career-high 91 tackles, along with eight sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 starts for the Patriots in 2013 -- is thus healthy to start the season and in line to retain IDP relevance, while manning the team's starting left end slot.

Patriots signed LE Rob Ninkovich to a three-year contract extension through 2016.

Ninkovich is one of the more underrated players in the league. He was in the final year of his contract before agreeing to the extension through his age-32 season. Ninkovich has yet to register a sack this season, but he recorded 18.5 of them from 2010-12. He also forced five fumbles last season.

ESPN Boston considers DE Rob Ninkovich a candidate for a long-term extension.

Ninkovich is in the final season of a two-year, $4 million extension. The Patriots currently have $8.32 million cap space, so he could be signed to a multi-year deal before training camp. Ninkovich had five forced fumbles and led New England with eight sacks in 2012. Brandon Spikes and Ryan Wendell are also set to become free agents following the season

ESPN Boston believes DE Rob Ninkovich is a candidate for a contract extension this offseason.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Patriots reportedly agreed to a two-year, $4 million extension with OLB Rob Ninkovich before the season opener.

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 special teamer, Ninkovich was in the starting lineup for the season opener after starting 10 of 16 games with 61 tackles and four sacks last season.

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.