BY SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- New England has just sent out a press release confirming that RB Laurence Maroney has been placed on season-ending injured reserve; additionally, G Stephen Neal, who just began practicing this week after beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list, has been activated to the active roster.

CB Mike Richardson has been activated off the practice squad as well; to make room for the second-year corner from Notre Dame, C Dan Connolly was released.

The Pats' first-round pick in 2006, Maroney missed two of the last three games with a shoulder injury. During the team's week in San Jose, Calif., he said he was having "issues," though he did not elaborate on what those are, or whether they are strictly physical in nature.

After ending last year on a high note -- he totaled 586 yards and seven touchdowns over the Patriots' final six games -- there were high hopes for the running back coming into this season. But in three games, Maroney totaled 28 carries for 93 yards and no scores.

Neal, who injured his knee in the Super Bowl, started 11 games last season.

Richardson, a seventh-round draft pick last year, spend his rookie season on injured reserve. This season, he was among the Pats' final cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad a day later.

Connolly, a reserve lineman, had been inactive for the first five games this season.