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Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich Played with Blood Clot in Leg

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich (50) dives to try and tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) as he runs the ball during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Rob Ninkovich (50) dives to try and tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) as he runs the ball during the second half at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich has revealed that he has been playing with a blood clot in his leg since last season.

When it comes to toughness, New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich has proved how much of it he has.  On Tuesday, Ninkovich revealed that he has been playing with a blood clot in his left leg since late last season.

During an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich,” he opened up about what he has played though the last season and a half, revealing what he described as his worst football injury and also the scariest.

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"“I’ve played through a bunch of stuff,” Ninkovich said. “But last year versus the Jets, I got hit in the leg, which turned into a blood clot. They thought that I had compartment syndrome, which is when you mess up part of your leg to where it swells up so much that they have to cut you open.“That wasn’t compartment syndrome, but it just a very big blood clot in my leg, which turned into a hole — a big, cavernous, three-inch hole in my leg. And they had to pack it. Every day, they had to pack it with gauze, and I had to wear this thing over it, and I had to take antibiotics, and I still have a blood clot in my leg right now. So I hope that it doesn’t travel.”"

Ninkovich went on to explain when and how the injury occurred, saying that after the Week 16 loss to the New York Jets his leg swelled to “four times the regular size” and hurt like crazy when he was playing through it.  But maintained it is something he had to deal with the best way he can.

Despite the injury, Ninkovich did not miss any time the rest of the season and into the playoffs.  He did, however, miss time the beginning of the season due to a four-game suspension as the result of testing positive for a banned substance.  One now must wonder if the banned substance was used to ease the pain of the blood clot.

Since returning, Ninkovich hasn’t played to the high intensity level that he is capable of.  But following a sack in Sunday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he could be making his way back.

The Patriots’ defense could certainly use it.

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