Mack

Hollins

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.

Schefter and other reporters previously called it a 4-6 week injury, which now seems unlikely. Schefter did add that Brown is moving “pretty well” and could come back on the faster side of his updated timeline. Still, it looks like Brown will miss at least half of the regular season. Romeo Doubs will operate as the team’s No. 1 receiver until he returns, though it will likely be a group effort to replace Browns’ production. Mack Hollins and Demario Douglas will also be more involved.

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.

Schefter added Brown will miss four to six weeks with the high ankle sprain he sustained on Wednesday night against the Seahawks. It could be much longer than that before Brown is back to full health and operating as the Patriots’ alpha WR1. For now, Mack Hollins will slide into three-receiver sets and Romeo Doubs — who didn’t catch any of his three targets against Seattle — will likely function as Drake Maye’s top option. Demario Douglas could be an interesting add in deeper formats after leading the team with seven targets in Week 1.