Mack Hollins Placed on Injured Reserve, Delivering a Tough Blow to Patriots' Offense
The New England Patriots just took a major hit to their offensive arsenal. Wide receiver Mack Hollins, who has quietly become one of the most reliable targets in the passing game, is heading to injured reserve with an abdominal injury - a move that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
This one stings. Hollins has been a steady presence in the Patriots’ offense, working in sync with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, his fellow UNC alum.
The chemistry between the two has been evident all year, and Hollins’ numbers back it up - third on the team in both receptions (46) and receiving yards (550). He’s been more than a safety valve; he’s been a chain-mover, a tone-setter, and a veteran voice in a young offense.
And now, he’s out. At least for the rest of the regular season.
A Sudden Turn Just as the Patriots Hit Their Stride
The timing couldn’t be worse. Hollins is coming off one of his best performances of the year - seven catches for 69 yards in a hard-fought win over the Baltimore Ravens, a game that clinched a postseason berth for New England.
It was the kind of gritty, high-leverage performance you expect from a seasoned pro. But somewhere in the middle of that physical battle, Hollins suffered an abdominal injury that’s now landed him on IR.
He didn’t practice all week and had already been ruled out for the Patriots’ upcoming game against the Jets. But the team’s decision to move him to injured reserve on Saturday caught many off guard. It’s not just a precaution - it’s a signal that this injury is more serious than initially believed.
What It Means Going Forward
By rule, Hollins will miss a minimum of four games. With only two left in the regular season, that means the earliest he could return would be deep into the playoffs - potentially the AFC Championship Game, if the Patriots get that far.
That’s a big “if,” though. While this team has shown flashes of postseason potential, losing a trusted target like Hollins puts more pressure on Maye and the rest of the receiving corps to step up in the most critical stretch of the year.
Vrabel on Hollins: “We’ll Obviously Miss Him”
Head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t sugarcoat the loss when asked about Hollins’ absence.
“He has an energy to him,” Vrabel said. “And seeing him on Sunday night with the passion he had to help us win - we’ll obviously miss him. I’ve always appreciated his willingness to learn what we’re doing but also be a leader for some of the younger guys.”
That leadership piece matters. Hollins isn’t just a contributor on the stat sheet - he’s been a locker room presence, a mentor to younger receivers, and a tone-setter on game days. In a season where the Patriots have leaned heavily on youth, his experience has been invaluable.
Next Man Up - But It Won’t Be Easy
To fill the open roster spot, the Patriots signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to the 53-man roster. But make no mistake - replacing Hollins’ production and presence on offense won’t be a plug-and-play situation.
This is a team that’s already leaned on a committee approach in the receiving game. Now, someone will have to emerge as a more consistent option in Hollins’ absence. Whether that’s a young wideout stepping up or the tight ends taking on a bigger role, the margin for error just got a little thinner.
A Hopeful Outlook - If the Patriots Can Keep Playing
There’s still hope that Hollins could return this postseason - but that hinges on the Patriots making a deep run. For now, his regular season is over. And if this was his final game of the year, he went out doing what he’s done all season: making tough catches, moving the chains, and helping his team win.
Injuries are part of the game, but this one hits hard for a Patriots team that’s just starting to find its rhythm.