Four Games Minimum: Mack Hollins Hits IR and the Patriots’ Wideout Room Is Looking Thin

The Patriots just got hit with some tough news: wide receiver Mack Hollins is officially on injured reserve, and he is out for at least the next four games. This move came down Saturday, just after he was ruled out for this weekend’s game against the Raiders on Friday. It is a blow to their depth, especially with how tight the receiver room already felt.

The Wideout Worries Just Got Real

Hollins is sidelined with a calf injury, which he picked up in the second half of last Sunday’s win over the Bills. Four games minimum on IR is a significant chunk of the season. Looking at who’s left on the 53-man roster at wideout, it is Romeo Doubs, Efton Chism, Pop Douglas, and Kyle Williams. That is a pretty thin group, honestly. The big question now is how soon they can get A.J. Brown back. He could be activated as early as Week 6, but he is already missed four games dealing with an ankle injury. So, while Hollins is out, they are really banking on Brown’s return.

More Roster Moves Shake Things Up

Hollins wasn’t the only guy heading to injured reserve. Fullback Reggie Gilliam also got placed on IR due to ankle and knee issues. To fill some of these spots, the Patriots activated special teamer Brenden Schooler from the non-football injury list. They also signed cornerback Kindle Vildor off the practice squad to grab one of the open spots on the 53-man roster. To round out the day’s moves, they elevated linebacker K.J. Britt and safety Elliott Davison from the practice squad. It is a lot of shuffling to handle injuries and get ready for game day.

So, the Patriots are rolling into their game against the Raiders this weekend with a significantly reshuffled roster, especially at wide receiver. They will be leaning hard on the guys they have now, hoping the depth can hold up until Brown’s potential return. You gotta wonder how this impacts their game plan.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.