Even though the New England Patriots are running short of running backs, Laurence Maroney says he won't jeopardize his health to return to the lineup. Maroney has missed three straight games with a groin injury. Backup Sammy Morris filled in with a pair of 100-yard games before hurting his chest in last Sunday's win over the Cowboys. "You've still got to know your body and know your injury," Maroney said. "Just because another person went down doesn't mean that you have to speed your [rehab] up and then hurt yourself more. Now the two of you are out for even longer instead of being patient. "I'm still going to be patient and whatever [coach Bill] Belichick and the trainers have for me this week is what they have."