New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Mack Hollins injury will be significant issue for Patriots as playoffs approach

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 27, 2025 7:15 PM ET

The first season of the Mike Vrabel era with the New England Patriots has been, to this point, a massive success. They have been one of the biggest surprise teams in the NFL, are going to the playoffs and enter Week 17 in a great position to win the AFC East.

The bad news is they are going into the playoffs while dealing with a significant injury to one of their most important offensive players, which could create a lot of problems as the playoffs approach.

Patriots place wide receiver Mack Hollins on IR

The Patriots announced on Saturday that wide receiver Mack Hollins has been placed on injured reserve, which will force him to miss at least the next four games.

That means he would not be able to return until at least the AFC Championship Game if the Patriots make it that far in the playoffs.

Given the importance of Hollins in the Patriots offense, it will be a major absence.

Patriots place WR Mack Hollins on injured reserve, sign DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr. to the 53-man roster & elevate DB Kobee Minor and DL Leonard Taylor III to the active roster. pic.twitter.com/FDw70dNDTD
— x - New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 27, 2025

Not only does he play more offensive snaps than any other Patriots wide receiver, but his 46 catches and 550 receiving yards are both third on the team (second among wide receivers), while he is also an outstanding run-blocker on the outside. The Patriots really do not have another player who fits his role or can do the sort of things he can do within the offense.

As long as the Patriots have quarterback Drake Maye, they are going to have a chance. Quarterbacks are the biggest game-changer in the NFL, and if you have a good one, you are always in it. The Patriots have a good one in Maye. He still needs people around him. Hollins is one of his most reliable pass-catchers and most important pieces on the team's offense. Not having him is going to cause some problems that will not be easily fixed.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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