Laurence Maroney Goes to IR

In very unfortunate news, the Patriots have place running back Laurence Maroney on injured reserve, according to Mike Reiss:

The Patriots have placed running back Laurence Maroney on season-ending injured reserve, according to an NFL source.

Maroney, now in his third season, missed Sunday’s game against the Chargers with a shoulder injury. He also missed the team’s Week 3 loss to the Dolphins with a shoulder injury.

Maroney totaled 28 carries for 93 yards this season. A first-round draft choice in 2006, he is signed through the 2010 season.

The Patriots have Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan, Heath Evans and BenJarvus Green-Ellis on the roster at running back.

I think to this point, Maroney’s career has been a disappointing to say the least.  He had the potential of a superstar.  I wonder if he still has any trade value, or even more importantly any playing potential left.  He’s too fragile, he hasn’t been consistent.

With Maroney out, the Patriots will continue their running back by committee approach to the running game.  However, Lamont Jordan is inactive for tonight’s game, and we don’t know the future with his calf injury.  For now, Morris and Faulk will shoulder the load, with BenJarvus Green-Ellis occassionally getting a few carries.

Just a closing thought (I will get more in depth with the Maroney situation later in the week), who would have thought, at the beginning of the season, that the Patriots would be without Tom Brady and Laurence Maroney by week seven?