Those who have wanted to see Pats running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis get more of chance may get their wish this weekend. It’s almost a certainty he’ll be active.

Why? No, not because the Patriots are going to bench Laurence Maroney. Hardly. Maroney may be asked to serve in a bigger role than ever because, according to ESPN.com, running back Fred Taylor may need surgery on an ankle he injured on his final carry of last Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens. Taylor has averaged 4.5 yards a carry and has been the team’s feature back so far.

Taylor has not practiced the last two days, including Thursday. According to the report, he will be back later this season, barring complications, but you have to wonder: Just how effective can a 33-year-old back coming off of in-season ankle surgery be?

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4542936

– TOM KING