The Patriots gave activated DE Rob Ninkovich following his 4-game suspension. He's expects to play against the Browns on Sunday. But keep in mind that he'll also be playing through a triceps tear he suffered in August and joining a DE rotation that has played well without him. IDP owners should hold off on using Ninkovich while we see what his role will look like

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich suffered a torn triceps Tuesday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Ninkovich will not require surgery, though, and the team reportedly hopes that he can heal up and return this season because the tendon remained intact. It's not yet clear just how long the veteran will be out, but expect his absence to run well into the regular season. Ninkovich looks like a candidate to open the season on the PUP list. New England signed former Rams DE Chris Long in the offseason, and he figures to factor into the replacement picture. Second-year DE Trey Flowers and free-agent addition Shea McClellin could also see time in Ninkovich's spot. Losing Ninkovich obviously hurts the Patriots defense, but their depth at the position should keep the D's fantasy outlook from taking too big a hit.

The Patriots will have DE Chandler Jones (abdomen, toe), LB Jamie Collins (back), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) and DE Rob Ninkovich (shin) active for today's AFC Championship game at Denver. All carried "questionable" tags, but Collins was the only iffy player after suffering his injury in the win over the Chiefs. That situation adds risk to him as an IDP play in fantasy football lineups this weekend. Jones also played a more limited role last week than usual and is more boom/bust than when at full health. The New England defense carries lots of turnover upside, however, against a Denver offense that threw the league's most INTs this year.

The Patriots list LB Jamie Collins (back), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen, toe) and DE Rob Ninkovich (shin) as questionable for Sunday's game in Denver. Ninkovich and Hightower played through their issues for regular snaps last week and should be just fine for the game. Collins suffered his injury against the Chiefs but is expected to play. Jones played through his issues last week as well but in a more limited role than usual. He's not a good IDP option. We'll check on the status for all before Sunday's game, but the Patriots defense carries plenty of upside against a Denver team that threw the league's most INTs during the regular season.

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich (shin), S Patrick Chung (foot) and S Devin McCourty (ankle) are active for today's finale against the Dolphins. Ninkovich carries big IDP upside, while the safeties don't look particularly attractive for your lineup. Getting them both back after missing McCourty and Chung last week can only help the pass defense and the team D outlook for fantasy, though.

The New England defense could be missing some key pieces at Miami on Sunday. The Patriots have ruled out DE Chandler Jones (toe) and LB Dont'a Hightower (knee) and deemed DE Rob Ninkovich (shin) questionable. Ninkovich only practiced Thursday this week. The moves make DE Jabaal Sheard the best IDP bet on the New England D-line and chip away at the defense's upside. The matchup with a reeling Dolphins offense keeps the Patriots among the most attractive fantasy targets for the week, though. Safeties Patrick Chung (foot) and Devin McCourty (ankle) are also questionable after missing last week's loss to the Jets.

The Patriots have ruled DE Jabaal Sheard out for tonight's game against the Dolphins. That's no surprise given his absence on the practice field. We'll see if he can get back for an upside matchup with Washington in Week 9. Sheard began the season as 1 of New England's top pass-rushing threats, taking snaps away from left DE Rob Ninkovich. His absence should put Ninkovich on the field more against Miami, though the veterans numbers have proved uninspiring so far.

As expected, the Patriots will have DE Chandler Jones, DE Rob Ninkovich and LB Dont'a Hightower available for today's game against the Jets. All entered the day as questionable but played full roles last week with their current issues. All look good for IDP use today.

The Patriots will welcome DE Chandler Jones back to the lineup today. He's active after missing 6 games with a hip injury. He still has yet to put in a full practice, however, and makes for a risk-reward fantasy play. You'll need to figure out how much risk you're comfy with. LB Dont'a Hightower is also active after sitting out last week with a shoulder injury. He's fine to use in your IDP lineup. And DE Rob Ninkovich is active -- as expected -- after a heel injury limited his practice time all week.

The Patriots on Friday listed 3 key fantasy defenders as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. DE Chandler Jones put in 3 limited practice days once again as he works back from a hip injury that cost him 6 games. The fact that he has yet to put in a full practice makes Jones a highly risky IDP option even if he finally returns to game action. There is upside against a struggling Dolphins O-line if you're willing to take the risk, though. LB Dont'a Hightower is questionable for the 2nd straight week because of a shoulder injury that kept him out in Week 14. We'd bet on Hightower playing after he took part in practice all 3 days. DE Rob Ninkovich also put in 3 limited practices while dealing with a heel injury. We've seen no indication that it's anything serious, but the Pats still might be the league's most secretive team with injuries. We'll update the statuses for all 3 on Sunday morning.

As expected, Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich is active against the Bills today.  Ninkovich sprained an ankle in Thursday's practice but still took the field Friday.  He's a strong IDP option in the regular-season finale.

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich sprained an ankle in Thursday's practice, arrived late for Friday's workout and then turned up questionable on the week's final injury report.  He still took part in that final workout, however, and was joking about his participation afterward.  We'd bet on the starting left DE playing and also bet on his IDP upside in your lineup this week.

Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich doesn't appear worried about the foot injury that forced him out of Sunday's win over the Steelers early.  He even said so in about as Patriot a way as possible.  "In the game there, I had a little something there, just don't really want to get into the specifics of it, but it's something that with having a week off, I'm sure I'll feel even better next week and running around and doing whatever it is as far as a week of recovery," he said Tuesday, according to ESPN Boston.  We'll expect Ninkovich to be ready after the Week 10 bye.

The Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins are expected to start LT Bryant McKinnie against the Patriots on Sunday.  LT Jonathan Martin will move over to the right side and push RT Tyson Clabo to the bench.  We'll have to see whether this actually provides an upgrade for Miami.  For IDP purposes, you should still start Patriots DEs Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich with confidence.