Patriots activate receiver Mack Hollins as injuries thin depth chart before trade deadline
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The gist
The Patriots activated wide receiver Mack Hollins from injured reserve ahead of their Week 9 game.
New England is banged up at receiver, line and running back with the trade deadline Tuesday.
Background
Mack Hollins is a Patriots wide receiver who caught 15 passes for 209 yards in four games before a calf injury put him on injured reserve (IR, a list of players sidelined by injury who can later be activated). New England's depth chart is thin at wide receiver, offensive line, running back and cornerback, and the team faces Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder for receiver A.J. Brown in June as part of an aggressive offseason.
How it unfolded
- Nov 3, 2026Week 9 preview notes Kyle Williams' first five career touchdown receptions all went for at least 30 yards, including a 43-yard score at Miami the previous week.
- Nov 4, 2026A mailbag notes Mack Hollins is eligible to return from injured reserve this week and Romeo Doubs can be activated after the bye week.
- Nov 7, 2026The Patriots activate Hollins from injured reserve; he joins Efton Chism, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams on the receiver depth chart with A.J. Brown out and Doubs still on IR.
- Nov 8, 2026Hollins plays in the game-day roster against the Packers; the Patriots lose 45-27 at Gillette Stadium, and Kyle Williams plays 49 snaps, most of any receiver, with zero catches.
- Nov 9, 2026Snap count analysis notes Christian Barmore's name has circulated in trade rumors, with reports he was worth only a sixth-round pick in the offseason while New England seeks a fourth this week.
- Nov 10, 2026A report examines Rhamondre Stevenson's knee injury and the Patriots' running back depth chart.
Key terms
- injured reserve
- A designation in North American pro sports leagues for athletes who are injured and unable to play.
- depth chart
- A player ranked third on a team's depth chart, behind the starter and backup at that position.
- trade deadline
- A league-set date after which teams may no longer exchange players during a season.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's Mike Reiss said "fireworks aren't expected" from New England going into the trade deadline.
- Analysts
- Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported the Patriots have "listened and talked to other teams" about trading defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Still unverified
Reports circulating in the trade rumor mill claim Barmore was only worth a sixth-round pick in the offseason while New England is looking to move him for a fourth this week.