Retired Ninkovich 'not closing door' on Patriots return

Retired linebacker Rob Ninkovich said Wednesday he's "not closing the door" on a return to the New England Patriots as the team deals with concerns about its front seven.

"I'm not going to lie," Ninkovich said on CSNNE's "Early Edition," according to Boston.com's Nicole Yang. "I could go, I could play, and could help the team."

However, Ninkovich - who retired in July after 11 seasons with the Patriots - said he hasn't had any official talks with New England.

"I haven't had any contact," said Ninkovich, "I kind of took some time to relax with my family. Unfortunately, my grandfather had a stroke right before camp and he has passed since. It was nice to be able to go home, spend time with him, go to his funeral, do the things I needed to do for my family, be there for my mom. Those were things I wouldn't have been able to do if I was in training camp. Those are blessings."

The Patriots lost rookie pass-rusher Derek Rivers for the season due to a torn ACL, and released Kony Ealy months after acquiring him via trade, leaving the already questionable defensive line noticeably weak.

New England arguably boasts the strongest roster in the NFL, but if Ninkovich opts to return, it would alleviate some fears about the defensive front.