In a league where staying healthy and being out there every Sunday is so important, it's tough enough for players to consistently be out there given the physical nature of the sport they're a part of.
 Rob Ninkovich leads the NFL in his category for players with the most consecutive regular season starts. (USA TODAY Images) |
Looking at the current active players who are among the league leaders in consecutive regular season games played, there are only four names who made the list from the Patriots when looking at the top five in each category.
Tom Brady, Rob Ninkovich, James Develin and Kyle Arrington are the few who have managed to remain healthy enough to make it, with Ninkovich being the only player who is near the top at his position in that category. The veteran, who is classified as a defensive end, has played in 77 consecutive regular season games, trailing only Oakland's Jon Condo, who has played in 117 consecutive contests. Below him are Chicago's Lamarr Houston (70), Jacksonville's Tyson Alualu (70), Minnesota's Everson Griffen (65), and Houston's J.J. Watt (54)
Arrington has played in 76 straight regular season games, trailing Dallas' Brandon Carr (102), Carolina's Antoine Cason (102), Buffalo's Corey Graham (115) and Pittsburgh's William Gay (118).
Also making this list for fullbacks is James Develin, who has played in 23 straight regular season games, tied with Detroit's Jed Collins for third in this category for their position. They trail Oakland's Jamize Olawale (24) and Oakland's Marcel Reece (46).
Following his knee injury back in 2008, Brady has since played in 87 straight regular season games, trailing Baltimore's Joe Flacco (102), San Diego's Philip Rivers (135) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (157).
Brady and Ninkovich are also the only two players in the top five in their categories for consecutive regular season starts among active players, with Ninkovich leading all defensive ends with 56 consecutive starts, ahead of Watt, who has 54.
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