Patriots activate Mack Hollins from injured reserve on eve of Week 9

Mack Hollins will get the green light against the Green Bay Packers.

The New England Patriots officially activated the veteran wide receiver on the eve of Sunday's game at Gillette Stadium.

A calf injury had sent Hollins to injured reserve a week into October. After missing the NFL minimum of four games, he saw his 21-day practice window open as the calendar turned to November. Three limited sessions and a questionable game designation followed.

Hollins, 33, now returns as the eldest statesman on an active depth chart of four. With A.J. Brown ruled out for a second consecutive matchup due to a knee injury and Romeo Doubs still residing on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury , DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III will make up the rest of the wideout room for the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

At the time of his non-contact exit last month at Highmark Stadium, Hollins stood atop the offense with 20 targets, 15 catches and 209 yards through four appearances. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound North Carolina product finds himself 131 games, 56 starts, 223 catches, 2,828 yards and 17 touchdowns into a career that began with the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft at No. 118 overall.

A Super Bowl LII champion, Hollins made subsequent stops with the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills before arriving in Foxborough on a two-year deal in 2025.

New England carried an open spot on the 53-man roster after releasing and retaining veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor on the practice squad ahead of the Green Bay visit. No standard elevations were made for Sunday afternoon.

Tight end Hunter Henry, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, cornerback Carlton Davis III and safeties Kevin Byard III and Brenden Schooler move forward with questionable game statuses, while guard Greg Van Roten will remain on injured reserve after also having his practice window open at the start of the week.