Mack Hollins Injury Update: When Will WR Return to Patriots?

The Patriots are gearing up for their first home playoff game in six years, but they will do so without a clean bill of health. Wide receiver Mack Hollins suffered an abdominal injury in New England’s win over Baltimore on Dec. 21. Below, we will take a look at when Hollins will return to the Pats, and will take a glance at New England betting odds.

🩹 When will Mack Hollins be back and return to the Patriots?

Hollins will not play in the Patriots’ Wild Card game against the Chargers on Sunday night as he is still on Injured Reserve. Per NFL rules, you must miss four games before you are eligible to return.

“We won’t be able to see [Hollins] for another three weeks,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Dec. 29. "So at that point in time, then we would have to make a decision, and I hope that’s one that we could make, but right now I don’t think I can predict anything.”

Hollins will be eligible to return to the Patriots for the AFC Championship game, which is set for Sunday, Jan. 25. 

Here is a look at the Patriots' upcoming schedule, assuming they advance in each round.

• Sunday, Jan. 11: LA Chargers at New England Patriots
• Saturday, Jan. 17 or Sunday, Jan. 18: Divisional Round
• Sunday, Jan. 25: AFC Championship Game
• Sunday, Feb. 8: Super Bowl 60

⏳ How long will Mack Hollins be out for?

The Patriots have been vague with exactly what type of injury Hollins is dealing with, calling it only an “abdominal” injury. The guess here is that Hollins is suffering from an “abdominal” strain, which is a common football injury. 

Recovery time for an abdominal strain depends on how severe the injury is. Players typically return from a mild strain in 1-2 weeks, and a moderate strain in 3-6 weeks. With New England placing Hollins on IR but not yet ruling him out for the season, we can assume that Hollins suffered a moderate strain.

Of note, Hollins does have a history of injury in the abdominal region. The wide receiver missed the entire 2018 season while a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, after undergoing sports hernia surgery.

Hollins had been having something of a revival year with the Patriots before going down with the abdominal injury. His 46 catches and 550 yards receiving were his highest output since having 57 catches for 690 yards with the Raiders in 2022.

🔴 Patriots betting odds

The Patriots are -3.5 betting favorites for their Wild Card game against the Chargers, at the best NFL betting sites.

NFL props on Drake Maye, TreVeyon Henderson, and more are available for this playoff clash as well. The Patriots currently have the fourth-best Super Bowl odds, tied with the Texans and Bills, at +1000. New England is +420 to win the AFC.