Patriots Place Hollins and Gilliam on IR, Leaving Wide Receiver Depth Thin

Key points

• Mack Hollins was placed on IR due to a calf injury sustained during the second half of the Week 4 win against the Buffalo Bills.
• Reggie Gilliam was placed on IR due to ankle and knee injuries; he had played only 97 snaps this season.
• Hollins led the team in catches (15) and receiving yards (209) before his injury.
• The Patriots now have only four active wide receivers: Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism, and Kyle Williams.
• A.J. Brown is eligible to return in Week 6 after missing the first four games with a high ankle sprain.
• The team activated safety Brenden Schooler from the non-football injury list and signed cornerback Kindle Vildor from the practice squad.

Background

The Patriots have faced significant injury challenges this season, including the loss of starting right guard Mike Onwenu and veteran guard Greg Van Roten to injured reserve in September. In late September, the team adjusted Mack Hollins' contract incentives, shifting payouts to 2027 to manage cap space. With A.J. Brown sidelined since Week 1, the Patriots had relied heavily on Hollins and Kyle Williams to fill the void in the receiving corps. The current roster moves further strain the offensive line and wide receiver depth, prompting speculation about potential additions before the November 10 trade deadline.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and the Boston Herald reported the core roster moves, noting that Hollins and Gilliam must miss a minimum of four games. The Boston Herald highlighted that the Patriots have only one open roster spot remaining and emphasized the potential increased roles for tight ends Cameron Latu and Tanner Arkin. ProFootballRumors.com provided additional context on Hollins' previous injury-shortened season in 2025 and noted that the Patriots considered releasing him over the summer before he agreed to contract adjustments. All sources agreed on the activation of Brenden Schooler and the signing of Kindle Vildor, though ProFootballRumors.com specifically mentioned that head coach Mike Vrabel has left the door open for a wide receiver addition. ESPN's source was inaccessible due to a 403 error, so no additional perspective could be synthesized from that outlet.

Why it matters

The loss of Mack Hollins, the team's leading receiver, and fullback Reggie Gilliam significantly impacts the Patriots' offensive flexibility and depth. With A.J. Brown still recovering, the team relies on a smaller group of wide receivers, including rookie Efton Chism, who had a standout performance against the Bills. The thin roster depth may force the Patriots to adjust their offensive schemes or seek additional players before the trade deadline. The return of A.J. Brown in Week 6 is crucial for restoring the team's primary receiving threat.

What to watch

The Patriots will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5, where they will rely on Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism, and Kyle Williams at wide receiver. A.J. Brown is eligible to return in Week 6, though his readiness is uncertain. The team may look to add a wide receiver before the November 10 trade deadline to address the ongoing depth issues. The Patriots will also monitor the progress of their other injured players and adjust their roster as needed for the remainder of the season.