Mack is back.
The Patriots activated starting wide receiver Mack Hollins off injured reserve Saturday afternoon. Hollins is now eligible to play in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Broncos.
Hollins was placed on injured reserve after suffering an abdominal injury in the Patriots’ Week 16 win over the Ravens. He returned to practice Thursday and was a full participant in Friday’s session prior to Saturday’s activation.
The veteran wide receiver caught 46 passes for 550 yards with two touchdowns in 15 games with 13 starts this season. He joins a wide receiver corps that includes Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism.
In a corresponding move, the Patriots placed rookie defensive tackle Eric Gregory on injured reserve.
Gregory, an undrafted free agent who was claimed off waivers from the Bengals in August, played in six games this season, registering eight tackles. Gregory was not listed on this week’s injury report.
The Patriots elevated two players from their practice squad for Sunday’s game, running back D’Ernest Johnson and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III.
Taylor, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyiris Tonga and Cory Durden will be available at defensive tackle with Gregory on IR.
Gregory cannot be activated in the event that the Patriots advance to the Super Bowl with a win over the Broncos.
The team ruled out running back Terrell Jennings and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, both of whom remain on injured reserve, for Sundays’ AFC title game.