FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins, whose role expanded when the team lost No. 1 target A.J. Brown to a high-ankle sprain in the season opener, was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Hollins hopped off the field on his right foot in the third quarter of last Sunday's win over the Buffalo Bills, with the club announcing he had a calf injury.
Hollins leads the team with 15 receptions and 209 receiving yards, and now the Patriots (2-2) will have just four receivers -- Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chism III and Kyle Williams -- on their roster for Sunday's home game against the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m., CBS).
Brown, who has been more visible in the locker room in recent weeks when reporters have been present, is eligible to be designated for return from IR next week.
Hollins, in his 10th NFL season, said Wednesday: "I'm working as hard as I can to get back as fast as I can. As a veteran, you have to stay out of your own way sometimes."
In addition to Hollins, the club placed veteran fullback Reggie Gilliam on injured reserve, marking the 19th player the Patriots have put on IR -- already exceeding the total from 2025 in a surprise run to the Super Bowl.
The Patriots also announced that special teams ace Brenden Schooler was activated from the non-football injury list, and seven-year veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor was signed to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Vildor's signing was necessary because the Patriots have already ruled out four cornerbacks, including starters Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, for Sunday's game.
Veteran linebacker K.J. Britt and rookie safety Elliott Davison were also elevated from the practice squad for the game, with their primary contributions likely to come on special teams.