Patriots Super Bowl Champion Shares Thoughts On Mack Hollins Injury
Hollins was placed on injured reserve
The New England Patriots surprisingly placed Mack Hollins on injured reserve on Saturday, and former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer was “crushed” by the news.
“Looking forward to see the game plan the Pats come up with today with the injuries they’re dealing with,” Hoyer wrote on X before Sunday’s game. “Losing Hollins crushed my soul!”
Hoyer won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2018. Hoyer played in 30 games for the Patriots over the course of eight seasons, serving as a backup for most of his career. He played more games for the Patriots than any of the other seven teams he played on in his 15-year career.
Hollins has been a phenomenal addition to the Patriots. He was third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He had played 68% of the Patriots’ snaps on offense this year, which is more than any other receiver.
The biggest reason Hollins stays on the field is because of his ability as a blocker. At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, his size plays a huge role in the run game. He is an important part of what the Patriots are trying to achieve in the ground game, but his build makes him different than the other receivers on the team.
Hollins has been a great presence in the middle of the field, catching balls in traffic, but he is also a real deep threat that challenges defensive backs in the air. The Patriots do not have a direct replacement for his size in the receiver room, so younger players will need to step up in their own way.
Hollins could return at some point this season, but it will take a deep run in the playoffs. He could be eligible to return in the AFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl. He orgibally poppoed up on the injury report with an abdominal injury before the Patriots decided to place him on injured reserve.
