Patriots' Rob Ninkovich Faces 4-Game Suspension for Banned Substance

Rich Arden / ESPN Images(FOXBOROUGH, Mass.) — New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich will serve a four-game suspension, without pay, after testing positive for a banned substance.

Ninkovich, 32, will be able to return on Monday, Oct. 3, the NFL said in a statement according to ESPN.

The starting defensive end told ESPN on Friday he would never knowingly take an illegal substance and “any supplement I’ve ever used was bought at a store.”

“Few things are more important to me than my name and reputation. This might call that into question for some, which has me heartbroken,” Ninkovich told ESPN. “I don’t want to cut any corners. I want to do things the right way, with high integrity, and that’s what I have always wanted to stand for.”

Ninkovich has been with the Patriots since 2009 and has played in 116 consecutive games since then.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print