Patriots Activate Mack Hollins Ahead of AFC Championship Game

The Patriots are gearing up to enhance their offense as they approach the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.

This past Saturday, they brought back wide receiver Mack Hollins from injured reserve. He had missed the final two regular-season weeks and the opening round of the playoffs due to an abdominal injury. His return adds depth for quarterback Drake Maye, complementing stars like Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boot.

Before his injury, Hollins was showing promise with 46 receiving yards in Week 17 and had accumulated a total of 550 receiving yards. He was on track to set new career highs, surpassing his bests of 57 catches and 690 yards from his time with the Raiders in 2022.

The abdominal issue arose during a crucial Week 16 victory over the Ravens, where Hollins had an impressive performance, catching seven passes for 69 yards.

Maye praised Hollins, labeling him a “great” asset for the team. Meanwhile, head coach Mike Vrabel noted that Hollins brings a lot of energy to the field.

May expressed his excitement over Hollins’s return on Friday, saying, “It’s great to have him back. He’s been a fantastic player for us all season. He gives it his all every day, even when he was dealing with some minor injuries earlier in the year. Once he got past those, he really hit the ground running.” He continued, mentioning how Hollins often goes the extra mile, staying after practice to run routes and study plays.

A successful game against Denver this Sunday could lead Hollins to his second Super Bowl appearance, this time with the Patriots, after he previously won with the Eagles in February 2018.