Patriots open the practice window for Mack Hollins after his calf injury

Patriots receiver Mack Hollins is set to return to practice Wednesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Wednesday morning, citing sources. Hollins has been on injured reserve with a calf injury since early October.

What's confirmed

New England placed Hollins on injured reserve on Oct. 10 after the calf injury kept him out against the Raiders. Rapoport says he will practice Wednesday, and ProFootballTalk also lists him as expected to practice. Patriots reporter Mark Daniels noted that Hollins traveled with the team to Chicago and Miami, a sign he was getting close.

Returning to practice opens his 21-day window. The Patriots can activate him to the 53-man roster at any point in that window, and the week of practice will show whether he is ready for this week's game against the Packers.

What's still open

The Patriots have not said whether Hollins will be activated this week. Calf injuries can linger, so watch whether he practices fully or is limited, and whether he carries an injury designation into the weekend. Rapoport called him a glue guy for New England who would help a lot against Green Bay.

Before the injury, Hollins caught 15 of 20 targets for 209 yards with no touchdowns in four games, according to RotoBaller. That came during a stretch when Drake Maye and the passing game were still finding their footing.

What it means for RSO owners

Hollins is a ninth-year veteran, and his value in dynasty and contract leagues is as a short-term depth piece, not a long-term building block. If you have an open IR spot or a spare bench slot and need receiver help in deeper leagues, he is worth a look on waivers at a minimal salary. In shallower formats, he stays a watch-list name until he is activated and earns snaps.

If you already roster him, keep him in your IR slot until New England activates him, then decide based on his role. Do not cut a younger receiver with a longer runway to make room.

Watch the Patriots' practice reports Wednesday through Friday, any activation move before kickoff, and how New England splits targets once he is back. His snap count against Green Bay, if he plays, will tell you whether he is a flex option or just depth.