Maroney done for the year?

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe is reporting that Laurence Maroney has been placed on injured reserve and is finished for the season. Maroney did not play a week ago and has just 23 carries in three games this season; he was not expected to play tonight against the Broncos.

With LaMont Jordan sidelined, that leaves just Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis to fill out the depth chart at running back. It's hard to believe the Patriots would make this move and not add a running back via free agency; here's a look at who might be available:

Mike Anderson -- Rushed 15 times for 62 yards for the Ravens last season; his most significant action came in Week 6, when he had eight carries for 44 yards (including a 16-yard rush) and one reception against Seattle. He as released by the Ravens in February. The former Marine is best known for his years in Denver as part of Mike Shanahan's plug-in-any-runner system; he was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2000.

Ron Dayne -- Rushed 194 times for 773 yards for the Texans last season, including 21 times for 122 yards in Week 9 against Oakland and 21 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the season finale against Jacksonville. He's a bruiser who would give Morris a break without giving opposing defenses a break.

Samkon Gado -- Originally an undrafted free agent, Gado has played for the Chiefs, Packers, Texans and Dolphins; he rushed for 100-plus yards three times with the Packers in 2005 and scored three touchdowns with the Dolphins in 2007 but was not tendered a contract for this season. He reportedly has worked out for the Patriots in the past.

Anthony Thomas -- Spent much of last season behind Marshawn Lynch with the Bills and ended the season on injured reserve after tearing a calf muscle in November. His two best games came in Weeks 11 and 12 against New England and Jacksonville, when he had a combined 26 carries for a combined 77 yards on top of 11 receptions for 60 yards.