FOXBORO — The life of a running back in the NFL can be unpredictable. Consider, for example, the questions being asked of Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk on Friday.

Those three find themselves in very different situations as the Patriots prepare to host the Jets Sunday at Gillette.

Maroney spent part of his time defending himself; Morris was talking about trying to get back on the field; and Faulk was learning about the unique place he has in NFL record books.

Maroney experienced firsthand last Sunday night how everything can change so quickly. The first round draft choice four years ago has been on the hot seat since the season began, at least the way some see it. He has been questioned because of his tendency to dance a bit before heading upfield.

For the most part, though, he has had a solid season, piling up more than 600 yards running, receiving and returning kicks. He has been a huge help as the Pats running corps has been hit by injuries to Morris and Fred Taylor.

Late in the third quarter in Indianapolis, with the Patriots leading and driving for another touchdown, Maroney fumbled. The Colts recovered in the end zone and, as all Pats fans know, rallied to win.

Maroney did not apologize.

“It’s life,” he said. “Not every story you guys write is a good story. Not everything you guys do is by the books and correct. We are human. We make mistakes.

“It’s one of those things you’ve got to put past you, behind you, go on to the next plan and try to do better,” he said.

It was his first fumble of the season (in 111 touches), the first lost fumble by any New England running back this year. It was only the second fumble of Maroney’s career.

“One fumble,” Maroney said. “Man, I think that’s good just to have one fumble. Hopefully, it will stay at one fumble. Like I say, things happen. You can’t cry about it. You can’t hold your head down. You’ve just got to go out there on the next play and make a big play.”

Earlier in the season, when the Pats neared the goal line, Morris often replaced Maroney in the backfield. That could happen when the Jets come to town. Morris has been inactive the last three games because of a knee injury suffered against Tennessee. But he has returned to practice. He has had limited participation at practice all week, including Friday, and is listed as questionable for the Jets game.

For him, the questions were all about whether he expected to play. In keeping with team practice, he was not ready to make any announcement.

“I’m taking it day by day,” he said. “We’ll know Sunday.”

Faulk was not as serious. Actually, he was happy to learn something, a fact he had been unaware of. The 11th year back from LSU had a big game against the Colts, with 79 yards rushing in 12 carries, the most he has had running from scrimmage since piling up 87 yards against Cleveland five years ago.

The bad news is that Faulk had only two carries in the fourth quarter, for zero net yards, killing any chance he had to reach 100. That kept him in the NFL record books. He has piled up 3,358 yards rushing (and another 3,503 receiving) in his career. Twice, he has had more than 100 yards receiving. But never has he topped the century mark rushing.

That makes him the player with the most yards gained rushing in league history without a 100-yard running game.

“Really? Is that right?” he asked when told of the stat. He was told it is correct and that it even had been mentioned on the NBC Telecast Sunday night. He obviously did not mind.

“Nice,” was all he said.

Regardless of their situations, the running backs stick together. Maroney spoke about how he is hoping Morris returns Sunday.

“Anybody in our group will tell you we’re a team, we all get excited about getting out there and helping the team,” he said.

“Slowly but surely, we’re reconnecting, like Voltron,” Maroney went on, referring to the television cartoon. “Anybody watch Voltron? You guys got kids? You know what I’m talking about? There are five of them and they connect. We’re reconnecting, like Voltron.”

All of which made for an interesting end to an interesting week for coach Bill Belichick. After beginning the week responding to questions about his decision to go for a first down on fourth-and-two against the Colts, Belichick ended his weekly meetings being asked about Voltron and running backs reconnecting. He took it in stride.

“We just play the guys who are out there,” the coach said.

pkenyon@projo.com