Maroney has torn rib cartilage
By John Tomase/ Patriots Notebook
Boston Herald Sports Writer
Saturday, December 16, 2006 - Updated: 01:39 AM EST
FOXBORO - Patriots [team stats] running back Laurence Maroney [stats] has torn cartilage in his rib cage, leaving his status for tomorrow’s game against the Texans in doubt.
According to a source close to Maroney, the rookie wanted to play last week but wasn’t cleared by the training staff. He’s officially listed as questionable with a back injury, meaning he has a 50-50 chance of playing. He missed a portion of practice yesterday.
Maroney has expressed frustration at the varying accounts of his injury and yesterday he basically shot them all down.
“I don’t have broken ribs, I don’t have a concussion and I don’t have a back problem,†he said. “And I definitely didn’t have the wind knocked out of me.â€
Maroney was injured in the first quarter of a 28-21 victory over the Lions when he was tackled by safety Terrence Holt after a short run. The jarring helmet-to-helmet hit, with Maroney twisting sideways, left him wincing as he left the field, and he appeared to be trying to catch his breath.
If Maroney misses his second straight game, veteran Corey Dillon [stats] will once again be asked to carry the load, as he did last week in a 21-0 loss to the Dolphins.
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