New England Patriots - NESN.com
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t sure if Mack Hollins will be able to return this season.
Hollins has been an impact receiver for the Patriots, but ahead of Week 17, he was placed on injured reserve due to an abdominal injury. Due to Hollins being placed on injured reserve, the soonest he can come back is the AFC Championship Game, even if the Patriots get a bye.
However, speaking to reporters on Monday, Vrabel wasn’t sure if Hollins would return this season.
“Again, we won’t be able to see him for another three weeks,” Vrabel said on Monday. “So, at that point in time, then we would make a decision, and I hope that’s one that we could make. But right now, I don’t think I can predict anything.”
Although Hollins isn’t playing, the receiver still traveled with the Patriots on the road, which Vrabel was impressed by. He also believes Hollins will be a key player for the team in the building leading up to games.
“Mack (Hollins) means a lot to this football team,” Vrabel said postgame on Sunday. “His personality, his spirit, I’ve talked about that a bunch and he wanted to travel with us and be here and support and I know that he’s happy for Chiz (Efton Chism III), just because those two have been really close since the time that Chiz got here.
“I think it’s been (a) fun mentorship and we’ll need that from Mack. We’ll need him to make contributions off the field as we move forward.”
Hollins has recorded 56 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns this season.
New England will host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET as the Patriots need to win, and a Denver Broncos loss to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
