Roster Move: Patriots Reactivate Veteran Wide Receiver With 2,732 Career Yards and 18 Touchdowns From Injured Reserve Ahead of Broncos Game
The New England Patriots enter AFC Championship week with mixed emotions. Losing Harold Landry to a knee injury was a major blow to the defense. But in the most difficult moment, the Patriots’ coaching staff made an important move, providing a new ray of hope for the offense ahead of the matchup with the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots have officially activated Mack Hollins from injured reserve (IR). The move shows that New England is doing everything possible to reinforce roster depth with just one win separating the team from a Super Bowl berth — where every small detail can determine the outcome of a game.
Hollins had been sidelined for several weeks with an abdominal injury, causing him to miss the final stretch of the regular season and the early part of the playoff run. Before that, he was an important part of the Patriots’ offensive system — not the No. 1 star, but always a reliable option in situations that demanded steadiness and tactical discipline.
During the 2025 season, Hollins appeared in 15 games and started 13, recording 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns. His most recent appearance came in a win over Baltimore, where Hollins caught seven passes for 69 yards before the injury forced him off the field.
Hollins’ absence required the Patriots to rotate several younger receivers during the playoffs. While those players gained experience, the stability and toughness of a veteran presence are not easily replaced. Activating Hollins at this stage is clearly more about strategy than statistics.
“In games like these, you need players who have truly experienced pressure,” a member of the Patriots’ coaching staff shared. “You don’t always need a flashy play. Sometimes a route run at the right depth, a proper block, or a secure catch is what wins a game.”
Over the course of his NFL career, Mack Hollins has accumulated 2,732 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, and he has also experienced what it means to win a Super Bowl. With the Patriots missing Harold Landry and preparing to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship, Hollins’ return may not draw major headlines — but in a game where the margin for victory is razor-thin, experience remains invaluable.
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