Mack Hollins injury update: Patriots receive update on WR ahead of AFC Championship

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins won’t return to practice Wednesday ahead of the AFC Championship Game. Hollins is eligible to come off injured reserve, as he deals with an abdominal injury.

However, head coach Mike Vrabel was uncertain about Hollins’ status and it remains to be seen if he’d actually be able to play Sunday at the Denver Broncos. Granted, he might have a better shot to return if the Patriots make it to Super Bowl LX.

“I can’t be certain right now,” Vrabel said of Hollins Monday. “Still working through everything with some of those guys that could be back.”

This season, Hollins played in 15 games and finished the regular season with 46 catches for 550 yards, two touchdowns and 12 yards per catch. He’s played in six career playoff games (three with the Eagles in 2017 and three with the Bills in 2024) but none with the Patriots this year.

Over the course of his career, Hollins has 208 catches for 2,619 yards, 17 touchdowns and 12.6 yards per catch. His catch and yardage total in 2025 was the second highest of career after reeling with 57 catches for 690 yards and four touchdowns in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Hollins is a well traveled pro in the NFL. He was a fourth round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 out of North Carolina and played three seasons with the team. As a rookie, he reeled in 16 catches for 226 yards, one touchdown and 14.1 yards per catch. Hollins won Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia that year.

After missing the entire 2018 season due to injury, he played sparingly in 2019 in Philadelphia before being waived by the team. He signed with the Miami Dolphins, whom he played for through 2021.

After a career year in Vegas, Hollins played 13 games (three starts) with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, reeling in just 18 catches. However, Hollins had a career-high five touchdowns last year with the Buffalo Bills before signing a two-year deal with the Patriots this offseason.

Hollins finished his Tar Heel career with 81 catches for 1,667 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was limited to seven games in 2016.

Whether he returns or not, the Patriots are one win away from the Super Bowl, which would be their first appearance since the 2018 season (a Super Bowl LIII win over the LA Rams). They take on the Broncos in Denver at 3:00 p.m. ET Sunday.