The New England Patriots offense received a boost this week. Wide receiver Mack Hollins returned to practice after missing the last four weeks with an abdomen ailment, and on Saturday was officially activated from injured reserve to the 53-man roster.
Before his injury in late December, Hollins had been a starter-level contributor for the Patriots. The offseason signing had been on the field for 657 offensive snaps — most among the team’s wideouts — and was ranked third on the team in catches (46) and receiving yards (550) over the first 15 games of the year. Naturally, his return changes the wide receiver group for the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos.
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The immediate fallout is another wideout moving to the game day inactives list. Rookie Efton Chism, who played 103 offensive snaps during Hollins’ absence and caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, has been made a healthy scratch for Sunday’s contest.
The Patriots’ inactives, meanwhile, looks as follows.
Patriots inactives
While the Patriots activated Mack Hollins from injured reserve this week, they opted against doing the same with running back Terrell Jennings (concussion) and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer (hamstring). Both are therefore unavailable, as is starting outside linebacker Harold Landry, who missed the entire week of practice with a knee injury and was ruled out on Friday. With Landry the only one of the three currently on the active roster, he is the only one who had to be specifically deactivated.
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Besides the team captain and the aforementioned Efton Chism, the inactives list features five more healthy scratches. Not among that group is rookie edge Bradyn Swinson, who is active to provide depth with Landry out.
Broncos inactives
Whereas the Patriots’ receiver group is in better shape now with Hollins back in the mix, the Broncos’ suffered a blow ahead of Sunday’s game. Troy Franklin, Denver’s No. 2 wideout this year, has been ruled out after being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.
Not listed among the Broncos’ inactives is Bo Nix. The team’s starting quarterback, who attempted every one of Denver’s passes so far this season, suffered a season-ending ankle injury last Sunday against Buffalo. He was placed on injured reserve on Saturday, removing him from the 53-man roster.
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Kickoff between the Patriots and Broncos at Denver’s Mile High Stadium is set for 3 p.m. ET.
