The Patriots’ wide receiver room took another hit Sunday, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Mack Hollins exited New England’s 29-26 comeback win over the Buffalo Bills with a calf injury after getting banged up on a third-quarter drive. He walked off the field, lingered on the sideline for a short stretch, then headed into the locker room with the medical staff.
On Monday morning, Mike Vrabel said the team still didn’t have a firm read on Hollins’ condition.
"I think we’ll probably know more here in a little bit," Vrabel said. "I don’t know if he’ll be able to practice here for a couple days, but again, I don’t have every detail.
"I’ll get in there with (head athletic trainer) Jim (Whalen) here afterwards and kind of see where we are, and then make sure we have guys that are ready to go, and everybody’s preparing as a starter, and we know the energy that Mack brings, and next guy has to be ready to go."
That’s a significant concern for a Patriots offense already without A.J. Brown, who will stay on injured reserve for at least another week while recovering from a high-ankle sprain suffered in the season opener.
Hollins has become the team’s leading target since Week 1, and he was productive before leaving against Buffalo. He caught three of four passes for 53 yards in the game and now has 20 targets, 15 receptions and 209 yards through four weeks.
Once Hollins went out, New England leaned more heavily on Efton Chism III in the passing game. Chism, a close friend of Hollins, became a key part of the game-winning drive and caught two passes, including a one-handed, 23-yard touchdown that put the Patriots back in front.
If Hollins misses time, Chism looks like a player who could see a bigger role. New England also has Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams on the active roster, with Cameron Dorner, Kyle Dixon and Chandler Brayboy on the practice squad. Vrabel didn’t rule out looking outside the building either.
"Sure. Anybody that can help us, we'll go explore in here shortly," Vrabel said when asked about adding another receiver.
That search could pull some attention toward Tyreek Hill, who’s reportedly been in conversations with teams after a long stretch on the open market. The former Super Bowl champion was released by the Miami Dolphins after a gruesome leg injury a season ago.
Other possible trade targets mentioned include Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Marvin Harrision Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Patriots are off Monday and Tuesday before returning to practice Wednesday for their home game against the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders.
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Julian Edelman added his voice to the discussion after the Patriots 29-26 win over the Bills, publicly questioning the officiating in a game that already had plenty of people talking. The finish was tight, the stakes were obvious, and the calls along the way did not do much to quiet either side, especially with a contested illegal hands-to-the-face penalty and a holding call drawing immediate attention.
Bill Vinovich was the lead official on a crew that has already been under the microscope for controversial decisions earlier this season, which only sharpened the focus on this latest matchup. For a Patriots result that should have been celebrated for its grit, the conversation instead drifted quickly toward the whistle and why so many Buffalo fans felt they had plenty to complain about after it was over. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Suddenly Have A Bigger Receiver Decision Than They Wanted
Mack Hollins early exit from Sundays game gave the Patriots another reminder of how thin they are at wide receiver right now. The veteran left with a calf injury, and Mike Vrabel said Hollins could miss practice for a few days as the team gets a better read on it, leaving New England to juggle snaps in a position group already dealing with other injury-related uncertainty and roster limitations.
Efton Chism III was the biggest beneficiary of the opening, playing a season-high number of snaps and hauling in the game-winning touchdown. His performance came at an opportune time for a team searching for reliable options, and it may force the Patriots to consider whether his role needs to grow even if Hollins is back sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Reaction Added Even More Fuel To Patriots Statement Win
The Patriots win over Buffalo already carried plenty of weight inside the division, but the reaction from the Bills afterward only sharpened the edge on it. A road loss can sting on its own, especially when it comes against a rival in Foxborough, but the postgame mood around Buffalo suggested this one landed a little harder than usual.
Cornerback Max Hairston reportedly left the locker room without speaking to reporters, and CJ Gardner-Johnson added another layer with dismissive comments about Efton Chism, calling him a practice-squad player even though Chism is on New Englands 53-man roster. For the Patriots, it was the kind of extra bulletin-board material that can linger well beyond one afternoon, and it offered another reminder that statement wins do not always end when the clock hits zero. [Read more 🡒]