The New England Patriots will practice today in preparation for the AFC Championship Game in Denver.
Many expected Mack Hollins to return to practice today, but Mike Vrabel announced that it will not be the case. Hollins has spent four weeks on the injured reserve and is eligible to return for Sunday’s game.
“That won’t happen today,” Vrabel said when asked if the Patriots would be activating Hollins.
The move could come later in the week. However, the fact that the Patriots are not opening his practice window casts doubt on his availability for Sunday. The Denver Broncos have a great defense, and having Hollins on the field will go a long way.
If Hollins’ practice window is opened on Thursday, he would have just three days to show he’s ready to return from injured reserve. He was placed on injured reserve with an abdominal injury after the Patriots game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Before his injury, he had played 68% of offensive snaps, which was the most among Patriots receivers at the time. He was third on the team in receiving yards and receptions before landing on injured reserve.
At 6-foot-4, 221 pounds, Hollin’s presence downfield and in the run game was a huge part of the Patriots’ offense. They do not have another receiver with his build and skillset. Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs were anticipating him back this week, but will have to wait to see him return to practice.
“It would mean a lot,” Boutte said about getting Hollins back, per MassLive’s Mark Daniels on Monday. “Even before this game, that was the message to our receivers. Me and 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.”
With every day that passes where Hollins’ practice window is not opened, it becomes less likely that he will return against the Broncos.
