Mack Hollins is officially back! The New England Patriots’ wide receiver group, which has been seriously hurting lately, is finally getting the shot in the arm it desperately needed. The veteran wideout is set to rejoin practice on Wednesday. It’s a massive lift for the team and for him, especially after four long weeks sidelined on injured reserve.
The Return of a Leader
This comeback isn’t just about another body on the field. The Patriots are opening Mack Hollins’ 21-day window to get him back on the active roster, and honestly, it couldn’t come at a better time. The dude, who’s 33, went on injured reserve after New England’s Week 4 victory against the Buffalo Bills because of a calf injury. Before he got sidelined, he was a key piece, playing 63% of the offensive snaps and pulling in 15 catches for 209 yards. This isn’t just a role player returning, either. Hollins isn’t just a starter-caliber wide receiver, he’s a total locker room leader for that Patriots squad. You know how important that energy is, especially when things are tough.
The Depth Chart Was Thin, FAST
And tough it has been for their receiver corps. Hollins was actually part of a trio of wideouts that were forced to miss time recently. Just last Sunday, when the Patriots grabbed a 24-19 victory over the Miami Dolphins, A.J. Brown (knee) and Romeo Doubs (shoulder, also on IR) were right there with Hollins on the sidelines. Talk about a depleted group! Without those three veterans, New England had to lean hard on Efton Chism, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas. Credit to them, that trio managed to combine for nine catches, 156 yards, and a pair of touchdowns in Week 8. But you know that’s not a sustainable long-term solution. Getting Hollins back takes so much pressure off those younger guys and, frankly, the whole offense.
The Patriots are gearing up to host the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium this week. With their first injury report dropping Wednesday afternoon ahead of that Nov. 8 contest, all eyes will be on how Hollins looks. This isn’t just a practice return, it’s a statement. Getting him back healthy could be the spark New England needs to really get their offense firing again. Let’s see if he can get back to full speed and make a real impact as they head into this next stretch of games.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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