Patriots Receive Huge Injury Boost Before AFC Championship

The New England Patriots could potentially receive a huge boost during their matchup with the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.

Mack Hollins — who hasn’t been seen since suffering his abdomen injury during the club’s victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 21, which ultimately ended up with him being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 27. — was seen putting on his cleats in the locker room prior to practice on Thursday, according to MassLive’s Karen Guregian.

What does that mean?

Hollins likely won’t be activated to return this week, but opening his practice window puts him in a position to play as soon as Sunday. If not, he’ll be eligible to continue practicing and can be activated at any point until the day before Super Bowl LX.

The Patriots would certainly be eager to bring the veteran wide receiver back into the fold, as he finished third on the team in receptions (46) and fourth in receiving yards (550) despite suffering his injury and missing the final two regular season games against the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins.

New England is getting healthy at the right time, with running back Terrell Jennings and defensive lineman Joshua Farmer already returning to practice this week and remaining eligible to be activated off injured reserve — while cornerback Carlton Davis remains just one step away from clearing the league’s concussion protocol.