Mack Hollins placed on injured reserve, the final two Patriots games will look completely different without him

Created on:

By: Michael Brown

Mack Hollins has been placed on the injured reserve with an abdominal injury, ending his season with the New England Patriots. The wide receiver will miss the final two games of the regular season and any potential playoff games. Hollins suffered the injury during last week’s victory over the Baltimore Ravens on December 21.

🔥 Quick Facts

  • Hollins placed on IR Saturday, December 27, 2025 by the Patriots
  • Injury sustained during the Ravens game on December 21, resulting in an abdominal issue
  • Season statistics: 46 receptions, 550 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns in 15 games
  • Availability: Out for remaining regular season games and at least four weeks of recovery

Hollins Suffers Abdominal Injury Against Baltimore

The wide receiver was injured during New England’s 28-24 victory against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday night at home. The exact moment of the injury remains unclear, but Hollins did not practice on Friday and was ruled out for the upcoming Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. The Patriots’ medical staff determined the injury was serious enough to warrant the injured reserve designation, which requires a minimum of four weeks recovery time.

Hollins has been a key contributor to the Patriots offense throughout the 2025 campaign, serving as a reliable target for quarterback Kirk Cousins. His absence creates a significant gap in New England’s receiving corps during the critical final stretch of the regular season.

Impact on Patriots Receiving Depth Chart

The injury to Hollins comes at a particularly difficult time for the Patriots, who are already dealing with multiple receiver injuries. Kayshon Boutte is in the concussion protocol, and DeMario Douglas is battling a hamstring injury. This forces the Patriots to rely on backup receivers and elevated practice squad players for the final two games of the regular season.

Head coach Mike Vrabel signed defensive tackle Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and elevated two players from the practice squad to compensate for the receiver depth issues. The team will need to adjust its offense moving forward without one of its most productive pass catchers.

Statistic 2025 Season Total
Receptions 46
Receiving Yards 550
Touchdowns 2
Games Played 15

Hollins’ Contributions to New England’s 2025 Campaign

The veteran wide receiver came to New England after spending the previous season with the Miami Dolphins. Hollins averaged 12.0 yards per reception this season, demonstrating his value as a reliable option downfield. His 46 catches ranked among the team’s leading receivers, and his presence helped stabilize a Patriots offense in transition.

Head coach Mike Vrabel relied heavily on Hollins throughout the season, particularly as the Patriots worked to establish chemistry with their quarterback. The loss of such a productive receiver for the final games significantly impacts New England’s playoff aspirations and offensive flexibility.

Receiver Injury Crisis Threatens Patriots’ Stretch Run

The Patriots now face a challenging final two weeks of the regular season with a depleted receiving corps. Beyond Hollins and Boutte, other receivers face their own health questions entering the critical week ahead. The team’s ability to win without these key contributors will be essential to clinching a favorable playoff seeding.

New England’s coaching staff will need to get creative with play-calling and utilize tight ends and running backs more heavily in the passing game. The Jets matchup on Sunday represents the first test of how well the Patriots can adapt without their primary receiving options healthy and available.

Can the Patriots Overcome This Injury Setback Down the Stretch?

The Hollins injury forces questions about whether the Patriots have the depth to maintain their current winning record through the final regular season games. New England must evaluate whether their remaining healthy receivers can step up and contribute at a high level. The team’s success will depend heavily on execution from untested players and creative offensive adjustments from coaching staff.

With the playoffs approaching, every game carries enormous weight. The loss of Hollins and potential absences of other receivers puts additional pressure on the Patriots defense to maintain strong performance and keep games tight in the final weeks of the season.

Sources

  • New England Patriots Official – Roster analysis and official injured reserve announcement
  • ESPN – Game statistics and injury updates
  • NFL.com – Player statistics and official league records

Red94 is an independent media. Support us by adding us to your Google News favorites:

Leave a review