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Patriots get major boost ahead of AFC Championship as key player returns to practice
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- Patriots get major boost ahead of AFC Championship as key player returns to practice
FOXBOROUGH — Mack Hollins has returned to the practice field.
The veteran wide receiver hurt his abdomen in a win over the Ravens last month and has missed the last four weeks, but he was back at practice for the first time on Thursday. Hollins is eligible to be activated off injured reserve for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game in Denver .
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During the media window at practice on Thursday, Hollins participated in wide receiver drills with his teammates.
The media’s viewing period at the session was limited, but the veteran receiver was with his teammates for the warmup, stretch and individual drills. The Patriots have one more practice on Friday before flying out to Denver.
If the Patriots want to play Hollins in the AFC title game, they will need to clear a spot on their 53-man roster.
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A solid pass catcher and willing blocker, the 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins was an important piece for the Patriots offense for the first 15 games. Hollins registered 46 catches for 550 yards and did plenty of dirty work blocking in the running game, too.
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His teammates in the wide receiver room have been looking forward to his return.
“We’ve all been waiting for Mack,” Stefon Diggs said. “It’s something we talk about almost every other day. When we see Mack, everybody is happy to see Mack. Mack has that infectious energy. He approaches the game the right way. We miss him. That’s our brother. If we get him back, that’d be great. If we don’t, those guys are going to continue to have to step up.
“I think the guys have stepped up and done a great job, but if we do get (Hollins) back, we’re all going to be excited,” Diggs said. “We’ll throw a party — not a real party.”
Ahead of last weekend’s win over the Texans, Kayshon Boutte said the veterans’ message to the rest of the wideouts still included the injured Hollins.
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“It would mean a lot,” Boutte said. “Even before this game, that was the message to our receivers. Me and Diggs come out before the game and talk together when we come out of the tunnel for warmups and said, ‘One more game, and we get Mack back.’ I think it would mean a lot to Mack. We bust our ass to get where we are today, the AFC Championship.”
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