FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Defensive end Rob Ninkovich has signed a three-year contract extension with the New England Patriots.

The extension through 2016 is worth more than $15 million with $8.5 million guaranteed, his agent, Craig Domann, tweeted.

Additional Photos

In this January 2013 file photo, New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) smiles as he responds to a reporter's question. Ninkovich has signed a three-year, $15 million extension with the Patriots, the team announced Monday, Sept. 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

In this October 2012 file photo, New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich (50) closes in to strip the ball from Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18). Ninkovich has 19 sacks over the past three-plus season. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

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Ninkovich, in his fifth season with the Patriots, is third on the team with 19 tackles. He has started the last 42 games, including six in the postseason. He had 18½ sacks the past three seasons, and has a half-sack this season.

Drafted by New Orleans in the fifth round in 2006, Ninkovich played just eight games in his first three seasons with the Saints and Miami Dolphins. The Patriots signed him in August 2009 after he was waived by the Saints.