Mack Hollins Formally Positioned on IR On account of Stomach Harm

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots vast receiver Mack Hollins, who began 13 video games and was third on the staff in receptions (46) and receiving yards (550), was positioned on injured reserve Saturday, the staff introduced.

Hollins hadn’t practiced all week after touchdown on the damage report due to his stomach. Hollins, 6-foot-4, 221 kilos, was coming off a seven-catch, 69-yard efficiency in final Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens that clinched a playoff berth for New England (12-3). He presumably was injured within the recreation in some unspecified time in the future, though he did not depart the sport early and performed 49 of a potential 74 snaps.

This season, Hollins has performed 68% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, which is greater than any receiver. His measurement and catch radius (particularly on deep crossing routes) have helped quarterback Drake Maye full a league-leading 70.9% of his passes (minimal 150 makes an attempt). The Patriots additionally relied on Hollins to carry a bodily edge within the working recreation.

On Friday, coach Mike Vrabel lauded the 32-year-old Hollins, who has generated headlines for his desire to reach to video games barefoot, for his team-first strategy.

“He has an power to him,” Vrabel stated. “And seeing him on Sunday evening with the eagerness he had to assist us win; we’ll clearly miss him. I’ve all the time appreciated his willingness to be taught what we’re doing but in addition be a pacesetter for among the youthful guys.”

The Patriots do not have one other receiver on their roster with Hollins’ bodily make-up. Veteran receiver Stefon Diggs leads the staff with 76 catches for 869 yards. Third-year gamers Kayshon Boutte (inactive Sunday due to a concussion) and DeMario Douglas and rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III spherical out the receiver depth chart.

Hollins should miss at the least 4 video games, which implies he would not be eligible to play till deep within the postseason, if in any respect. The Patriots go to the New York Jets on Sunday, then end the common season at residence towards the Miami Dolphins.

If the Patriots win their closing two video games, and the Denver Broncos lose their season finale at residence towards the Los Angeles Chargers, New England would earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

The Patriots signed defensive sort out Jeremiah Pharms Jr. from the apply squad to the 53-man roster to fill Hollins’ place on the roster. Additionally they elevated defensive sort out Leonard Taylor III and cornerback Kobee Minor from the apply squad for Sunday’s recreation.

In a associated observe, rookie working again TreVeyon Henderson has been cleared from the concussion protocol, the Patriots introduced. Henderson is listed as questionable, and he made the journey with the staff for Sunday’s recreation. The Patriots did not elevate a working again from the apply squad, a transfer that appears to point Henderson will return to motion Sunday.

The staff additionally stated fullback Jack Westover (sickness) is questionable for Sunday.