"Whatever the "issues" that Laurence Maroney is dealing with, the Patriots didn't think they could be resolved this season, because yesterday the team put the third-year running back on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, ending his season.

Maroney finishes the season with 93 yards on 28 rushes in three games. Without him, the Patriots' remaining running backs are Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis, fullback Heath Evans, and LaMont Jordan, who sat out last night's game against the Denver Broncos with a right calf injury. Morris also left last night's game with a knee injury, after rushing for 138 yards in the first half.

Although Maroney sat out the 30-10 loss to the Chargers Oct. 12 and had not practiced in preparation for last night's game, the move still came as somewhat of a surprise.

Maroney injured his shoulder against the Jets Sept. 14 and sat out the next week against the Dolphins. He returned following the bye week against the 49ers and practiced Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, when the Patriots were at San Jose State preparing for the Chargers game.

But on Oct. 10, Maroney had an odd question-and-answer session with reporters in which he was asked if the shoulder had hampered him during a disappointing performance against the 49ers, when he had 10 carries for 26 yards and looked tentative.

Maroney did not directly answer questions about the shoulder, but said, "Hey, I have my issues. There are reasons I'd rather not speak about, but there are reasons."

When asked about the shoulder injury during the bye week, Maroney said it was a "little, minor setback."

Injuries have been an issue for Maroney since he entered the league as a first-round pick of the Patriots (21st overall) in 2006.

In his rookie season, Maroney missed two games with what was reported as a rib injury, then had offseason shoulder surgery, which sidelined him for the start of training camp the following season.

Last season, Maroney missed three games with a groin injury, but was strong down the stretch, closing the season with four 100-yard rushing performances in the final six games of the season, including the three postseason games."