Patriots Provide Mack Hollins Update Before AFC Championship
Hollins has not played since Dec. 21
The New England Patriots are headed to the AFC Championship Game, and they could be getting a huge piece of their offense back.
Mack Hollins has spent four weeks on injured reserve and is eligible to return this week. The Patriots can open his practice window, and Mike Vrabel provided an update on Hollins’ injury and status.
“I can’t be certain right now,” Vrabel said on Monday when asked if Hollins would practice, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “We’re still working through everything with some of those guys that could be back. Josh Farmer could be eligible to come back, as well as Mack. Those aren’t decisions that we’ve made yet.”
When Hollins went down with an abdominal injury, he was third on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He had also played 68% of the Patriots’ snaps on offense, which was more than any other receiver.
At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, his size and presence downfield were a huge element of the passing game. Getting him back could be huge. While the Patriots have not made an official move, his teammates are expecting him back.
“It would mean a lot,” Kayshon Boutte said about getting Hollins back, per Daniels. “Even before this game, that was the message to our receivers. Me and (Stefon) Diggs come out before the game and talk together when we come out of the tunnel for warmups and said, ‘One more game, and we get Mack back.’ I think it would mean a lot to Mack. We bust our (expletive) to get where we are today, the AFC Championship.”
Boutte and Diggs seem to believe Hollins will be joining them on the field in Denver. The shorthanded Broncos offense will be without Bo Nix, while the Patriots get one of their biggest weapons back.
If the Patriots open Hollins’ practice window, but they feel he is not quite ready to play, the Patriots still have plenty of talented pass catchers.
