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[September 03, 2016] Sept 2 (The Sports Xchange) - New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich was suspended for four games without pay to open the 2016 regular season for a violation of the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Ninkovich told ESPN on Friday that he tested positive for a banned substance, but he would never knowingly take an illegal substance. The NFL later confirmed the suspension.

The 32-year-old Ninkovich has played in 116 consecutive games (including playoffs) for the Patriots since signing with the team as a free agent on Aug. 2, 2009.

The NFL said that Ninkovich will be eligible to return to the Patriots' active roster on Oct. 3.

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Outside linebacker Manny Lawson was among 21 players released by the Buffalo Bills ahead of Saturday's deadline to reach 53-man rosters.

The 11th-year player missed the first two weeks of training camp due to a pectoral injury suffered while weightlifting, and the Buffalo News reported last month that Lawson is facing a one-game suspension stemming from a 2014 misdemeanor domestic violence incident.

Also released was fullback Jerome Felton, which paves the way for Glenn Gronkowski to open the season as the team's primary fullback. The younger brother of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a rookie out of Kansas State.

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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, recovering from back surgery in July, could play in the season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 11, head coach Bill O'Brien said.

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The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been on the team's preseason physically unable to perform list since the surgery to repair a herniated disk.

Watt has never missed a regular-season game, but the 27-year-old dealt with a number of injuries in 2015, including a herniated disk, a broken hand, a groin tear, and three adductor and two abdominal muscles tears. He had surgery abdominal surgery in January.

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The Arizona Cardinals added depth to their secondary by acquiring cornerback Marcus Cooper in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs will receive an undisclosed conditional draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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The Cleveland Browns signed defensive lineman Stephen Paea after he was released by the Washington Redskins earlier this week.

New Zealand-born Paea played in 11 games (one start) in his only season with the Redskins after four years with the Chicago Bears. He finished 2015 with 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks before ending the season on injured reserve with a toe injury. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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