National Football League

Broncos acquire RB Maroney from Patriots

Published Sep. 14, 2010 10:56 p.m. ET

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The Denver Broncos have acquired RB Laurence Maroney from the New England Patriots, a source confirmed. According to NFL.com, Maroney and a sixth-round pick were traded to Denver. The Patriots will get back a fourth-round pick from the Broncos.

Maroney, who was the subject of trade rumors prior to the final roster reduction coming out of the preseason, was inactive for last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was listed as injured with a thigh injury.

In Denver, second-year RB Knowshon Moreno is the starter. Veteran RB Correll Buckhalter has been his backup, so it remains to be seen what kind of role Maroney will be competing for going forward.

Maroney, who was selected in the first-round of the 2006 NFL Draft, is on the final year of his rookie deal and carries a base salary of $825,000 for 2010.

The Patriots are expected to stick with veteran Fred Taylor as the starting running back. He’ll continue to be backed up by Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.