Another shoe that will throw a party?

The Patriots' running game has been a work in progress all season, and now it really comes down to injuries.Will they, and should they, make a big move at the trade deadline?

For Great Mugatu, ('zoolander' 2001), "I feel like I've taken crazy pills!"

The Patriots elevated Terrell Jennings to the 53-man active roster on Wednesday, and now have three practice squads ... but does that smooth the fault lines in their running game?

New England has one of the best offenses in the league this season and arguably the best quarterback right now.Meanwhile, their running game has caught fire when they've been healthy.They have struggled with a rotation of Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson and TreVeyon Henderson.Now, they're not even healthy.

Despite two exciting third-quarter plays against the Browns, Henderson still hasn't played like pre-injury rookies Quinshon Judkins, Ashton Jeanty or Cam Skattebo.

Terrell Jennings had 33 yards on 7 carries when he was activated on game days.

Now, now, Stevenson is down Wednesday and Thursday with a toe injury after two tough games.

With all of these issues facing the Patriots, I asked offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Thursday if they have the answers in the locker room right now.

"I think we have all the answers we need," he said.“When training camp starts, you don't rely on what you have outside of the locker room, and you really don't need anything beyond what you already have.

Expanding on his answer with other areas where the offense can still improve, McDaniels added: "We're not even halfway through the season yet and I think we still have a lot of room for improvement. I know that's what we're focused on - and we have guys."

Of course, McDaniels is right to give confidence to the men in the room.But is everything ready?How do you like the Patriots, who have every opportunity in the world with a friendly schedule first and the AFC being wide open and packed on Tuesday?

And yes, coaches have to plan with the personnel in the room, but the trade deadline is there for exactly those reasons: a good team is injured or a good team needs an extra boost.

Cash and capitalization should not dictate the actions of the Patriots' front office colleagues before the trade deadline.They have both in reserve, especially for this year's rent before their fast-maturing high draft pick comes due.Unless they make a big splash behind Trey Henderickson, they will be able to afford more than one depth and edge.

The capital bill is more complicated.It would take a special player like Christian McCaffrey's type to justify giving a defensive back a significant pick.The question is whether the Patriots feel they can fix Jennings through the trade market and whether Stevenson's finger injury will linger around December.

Take McDaniels at his word, it's only a matter of time before the ground game looks like the elite unit we hoped it would be by late summer without outside help.