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Hollins has been on injured reserve for a month with a calf injury. With a full practice today he’ll have a good chance of suiting up in Week 9 against the Packers. Hollins will likely function as Drake Maye’s primary downfield option if A.J. Brown remains sidelined. Hollins’ return dings the fantasy prospects of DeMario Douglas, who has an 18 percent target share and a 19 percent air yards share over the team’s past three games. Hollins will be flex viable in deeper formats.

The Patriots snuck Hollins onto the injured reserve list over the weekend. He will be eligible to return after sitting out for four games. The Patriots also placed FB Reggie Gilliam on injured reserve.

It sounds like Efton Chism, Kyle Williams, and Demario Douglas will all work more than usual next to Romeo Doubs in Week 5. Chism might be the most interesting FLEX play of the three after putting up 2/42/1 in relief of Hollins against the Patriots, though all of them have cases.

Normally a wind-sprinter and a blocking specialist, Hollins became shockingly important at work after A.J. Brown went on IR with an ankle injury. He currently leads the team in targets, tied with Romeo Doubs at 20 apiece. Hollins holds the lead outright in catches (15) and yards (209). His absence would free up downfield opportunities for Kyle Williams. Efton Chism and Demario Douglas would likely see an uptick in routes as well.

Hollins injured his calf in Week 4 and was listed as questionable to return. He immediately went to the locker room and did not return. Hollins is unlikely to play in Week 5. Romeo Doubs finally broke out last week with six catches for 58 yards and two scores. He will be in line for another sizable role once Hollins is ruled out. Kyle Williams will take on a starting role, though he is only worth a stash in deeper fantasy formats.

Vrabel said he’ll have more information on Hollins shortly, but added that Hollins may miss a few days of practice. Hollins exited Week 4’s game against the Bills with a non-contact injury, leaving the field with a 3-53-0 line on four targerts. Hollins has seen 13 targets over the last two weeks while running the third-most routes (45) of any receiver. We’ll likely know more about the severity of his injury soon, but he could be at risk of missing Week 5’s game against the Raiders.

Hollins went down when he cut to the sideline on an out route. He had to hobble off the field and was immediately taken into the locker room. The Patriots have not ruled him out yet, but we’d be surprised if he returned today. Romeo Doubs should continue to see the vast majority of targets. Hollins had 53 yards receiving on 3-of-4 targets before getting hurt.

Hollins looked the part of Drake Maye’s top option against Jacksonville, dominating air yards and easily leading all pass catchers in targets. Hollins manhandled much smaller Jaguars defensive backs throughout the game and nearly came down with a long play that would have put him over 100 yards on the day. Hollins, who had just two grabs last week against the Steelers, could have some flex viability in Week 4 against the Bills, especially if Maye and the Pats are once again chasing points in the second half.

Hollins quietly led Patriots wide receivers in snaps in the first game without A.J. Brown. He saw just two targets on the day, catching both for a total of 18 yards in a subpar offensive day. The Pats pass-catchers are a mix of low-ceiling fantasy viability as Maye spreads the wealth around the different receivers. Better offensive days are ahead for the Patriots but Hollins is a WR5 play at best for Week 3 against the Jaguars.

Hollins got on the field plenty early in the game, but his snaps were heavily tilted toward blocking duties. Once A.J. Brown went down with an ankle injury, the Pats were forced to play him in a more traditional role. He wound up leading the team in receiving yards, though that largely speaks to the Pats’ struggles through the air. Hollins would be in line for more work if Brown is unable to suit up next week. He would be a low-end WR5 sans Brown, making him a low-wattage add off the waiver wire.

Hollins was the only Pat to post an above-average box score in a title tilt where their offensive line got utterly dominated. Battling with Kayshon Boutte for the Patriots’ primary down-field role, 32-year-old Hollins posted the second highest yardage total of his career (550) despite missing two games with injury. Playing on his fifth time in five years, his 46 receptions were also his second most. Excellent stuff, though Hollins’ most notable contribution remains his blocking. Signed for $2.9 million in 2026, Hollins should be back with the Pats, though his salary is not guaranteed. Although the Patriots had success with this year’s motley receiving crew, upgrading the corps figures to be an offseason priority.

Hollins hauled in a 20-yard pass in the second quarter to convert a third-and-long, but the Patriots followed up his big play with a punt three plays later. The speedster later broke free on a flea-flicker play for a 31-yard gain, only to see that drive end with a missed field goal by Andy Borregales. Despite Hollins’ efforts not resulting in points, his impact on the passing game was obvious. Assuming he didn’t suffer any setbacks, he should be good to go in two weeks for the Patriots’ title game appearance.

Hollins makes his return from injured reserve in time to face the Broncos in the AFC Championship game, likely returning to a semi-featured role due to his run-blocking abilities. It is likely we see undrafted free agent Efton Chism the odd man out due to Hollins’ return, with DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams joining Hollins, Stefon Diggs, and Kayshon Boutte as the active wide receivers come Sunday. Hollins’ red zone acumen and deep-threat abilities warrant consideration in DFS on the short slate.

Hollins was just designated to return yesterday, so we’d be a little surprised if he was instantly activated but this gives him a chance. Davis was spotted shedding a non-contact jersey in practice on Friday and would seem to have a real chance to go against Denver.

Hollins resumed practicing today, which gives him a chance to suit up for the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. Hollins is a reliable blocker and a streaky producer, operating as a speedy field-stretcher for the Patriots. His return could reduce WR Kayshon Boutte’s snap share, though Boutte has caught 7-of-9 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown in two postseason games. He has a chance to retain the starting role even if Hollins returns.

Hollins landed on injured reserve after injuring his abdomen in late December. The speedy field-stretching wide receiver would be nice to have on the field due to his blocking ability, but his absence allows WR Kayshon Boutte to remain on the field, operating as an effective downfield pass catcher.

Vrabel said the team is “still working through everything with some of those guys that could be back,’ so it’s unlikely we learn much about Hollins’ availability before the Patriots release their first injury report on Wednesday. Hollins hasn’t played since Week 16 and has yet to practice since going down. The veteran receiver has come up big on various occasions for the Patriots this season and would be a welcomed addition to the offense against a top-flight Broncos defense.

Hollins played a large role for the Patriots due to his willingness and ability to block in the run game, something that isn’t likely to be made up for outside of a drastic shift to heavier rates of 12-personnel. Austin Hooper could see a significant role the rest of the way, starting in Week 17 against the Jets. That said, he isn’t likely to carry enough upside to be of use in fantasy circles.

Down two of their four main wideouts this year, and with DeMario Douglas (hamstring) also questionable, it’s possible that Stefon Diggs is asked to play outside more against the Jets in Week 17. None of New England’s three practice squad wideouts have any real game experience, so there’s probably no risk of an outside elevation blowing up here.

Hollins has missed back-to-back practices with the injury. The Patriots also may be without Kayshoun Boutte (concussion), so Drake Maye will likely be working with a less-than-spectacular receiving crops in Week 17 against the lowly Jets.