Patriots set to welcome back WR Mack Hollins from IR for AFC title game

The Patriots are getting a key contributor to their offense again for Sunday’s AFC Championship Sport in opposition to the Broncos.

Large receiver Mack Hollins has been activated from injured reserve after lacking the Patriots’ final 4 video games attributable to an stomach harm, the staff introduced Saturday. Hollins returned to apply on Thursday, opening his window to return earlier than he was deemed questionable to play in Sunday’s sport on Friday.

Patriots working again Terrell Jennings (concussion protocol) and defensive deal with Joshua Farmer (hamstring) will stay on injured reserve, the staff introduced earlier within the day. Operating again D’Ernest Johnson and defensive finish Leonard Taylor III might be elevated from the apply squad, whereas defensive deal with Eric Gregory might be positioned on injured reserve to make room for Hollins.

Hollins was one of many Patriots’ high receivers in the course of the common season. He was fourth on the staff in receiving yards (550) within the common season, and his variety of receptions for first downs (28) was the third-best mark on the staff. Hollins was additionally third on the staff in receptions (46), including two receiving touchdowns.

Hollins’s blocking skill has additionally been key to the Patriots’ success on offense this season. Together with his 6-foot-4 body, Hollins has allowed the Patriots to play with advantageous personnel packages on run downs.

Whereas the Patriots haven’t essentially wanted Hollins up to now within the playoffs, his return is definitely welcomed information as Drake Maye hasn’t been as prolific throwing the ball this postseason. Maye has accomplished 58.9 p.c of his passes for 447 yards, 4 touchdowns, and two interceptions, though a kind of interceptions got here on a Hail Mary try. Maye has additionally misplaced three fumbles this postseason.

The Patriots’ run sport hasn’t been too nice within the playoffs, both. They’ve rushed for 251 yards on simply 4.1 yards per carry. So, Hollins’s presence might be a lift there, too.

After all, the Patriots performed two of the league’s high defenses within the Chargers and Texans of their first two playoff video games. However they’ll face the staff that was second in complete protection this season, because the Broncos even have one of many league’s high defensive items.

With Hollins coming again, undrafted rookie free agent Efton Chism would seemingly be the odd man out of the Patriots’ broad receivers rotation. Chism went from being a wholesome scratch to enjoying over a dozen offensive snaps per sport over the past 4 weeks with Hollins out.

The Patriots may also have cornerback Carlton Davis obtainable for Sunday’s sport. His standing improved from questionable to obtainable after he cleared the league’s concussion protocol on Friday.

Edge rusher Harold Landry III is the one participant on the Patriots’ lively roster who’ll miss Sunday’s sport. Landry, who led the staff in sacks in the course of the common season, performed comparatively restricted snaps in latest weeks as he’s battled a knee harm.