Patriots DE Rob Ninkovich reportedly has a torn triceps

New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich tore his triceps Tuesday during a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints, according to multiple reports.

#Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich tore his tricep, source confirmed (as @MikeReiss reported). He did not tear his tricep tendon. That's good news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2016

With #Patriots LB Rob Ninkovich tearing just his tricep muscle, no surgery is necessary. Rehab. If all goes well, he could return by Oct
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2016

Ninkovich left practice shortly after receiver Julian Edelman exited with what appeared to be a lower leg or foot injury, but Ninkovich underwent an MRI and his injury turned out to be more serious.

Ninkovich, 32, has played in all 16 games in every season since 2010. He has started every game for New England since 2011 and has had at least 6.5 sacks in each of the past five seasons. The Patriots have one of the better defensive lines in the league, but Ninkovich is a key cog in that unit and will be missed.