Headed to IR

The Eagles placed Hollins (groin) on injured reserve Thursday.

Analysis: Head coach Doug Pederson referred to the groin injury that Hollins sustained in the preseason as a minor setback, but the wideout's move to IR ahead of season opener suggests it was a more serious concern than the club was letting on. The transaction ensures that Hollins will be inactive for at least eight weeks, and the 24-year-old could be shut down for the entire season if the Eagles choose not to designate him as one of two players eligible to return from IR. With Hollins out of commission…read more

Will not play Thursday

Hollins (groin) has been ruled out for Thursday's season opener against the Falcons, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Analysis: Head coach Doug Pederson said Tuesday that Hollins suffered a minor setback with the groin injury he has been tending to over the last couple of weeks. This is why the Eagles elected to bring back wideout Markus Wheaton a day after they let him go, but it doesn't look like Hollins will be sidelined for too long with the injury.

Dealing with groin injury

Hollins confirmed Monday that he's been tending to a groin injury, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Absent the past two weeks with an undisclosed injury, Hollins finally has clarified its nature. Once he's able to practice with an eye on game action, he probably will be on the outside looking in for targets, even with Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) expected to miss the first two games.

Returns to practice

Hollins (undisclosed) returned to practice Sunday, Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Held out of practice the past two weeks, Hollins is now on the right track to play in Thursday's season opener against the Falcons. He could take on an larger role in the expected absence of Alshon Jeffery (shoulder), but it's also possible the Eagles will turn to Shelton Gibson instead. Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz and Mike Wallace are the safe bets to draw targets.

Still absent from practice

Hollins (undisclosed) hasn't been practicing this week, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Hollins has been out since the first game of the Eagles' exhibition slate and doesn't seem to have a realistic shot at playing in Thursday's preseason finale against the Jets. Meanwhile, fellow depth receiver Shelton Gibson has caught nine passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason games, making a strong case to replace Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) in three-wideout formations for the first few weeks of the regular season. Even if he's available for the regular-season opener Sept. 6…read more

Still absent from practice

Hollins (undisclosed) did not practice Sunday, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Hollins missed Thursday's preseason loss to the Browns due to an undisclosed injury. The second-year wide receiver showed big-play potential last season, and he's expected to open the year as Philadelphia's No. 4 wide receiver, with potential to fill the No. 3 role if Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) isn't ready for Week 1. The Eagles may also turn to Shelton Gibson for added playing time if Jeffery isn't available.

Not suiting up Thursday

Hollins won't play in Thursday's preseason contest in Cleveland, Derrick Gunn of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: With a chance to carve out a role early due to injuries to fellow wideouts Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) and Nelson Agholor (lower body), Hollins instead has endured a rough preseason slate. In the first exhibition, Hollins was unable to haul in his only target. And last week, he didn't suit up at all, which has been replicated this time around. As a fourth-round pick last year, he flashed at times, accumulating a 16-226-1 line on 22 targets. However, Hollins seems on pace for sparse usage again…read more

Back on practice field

Hollins (undisclosed) participated in Sunday's practice, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: After failing to catch a pass in the first preseason game, Hollins sat out entirely from the second contest against New England. Back in action now, the second-year pro is on track to be the No. 4 WR in Philly after recording 16 receptions for 226 yards and one touchdown in his rookie campaign.

Unlikely to play Thursday

Hollins isn't warming up with the receivers and isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason tilt against the Patriots, Zach Rosenblatt of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Hollins' absence from warmups coupled with his missed practices the past few days due to an undisclosed injury seems to indicate that he won't suit up, though his status hasn't been confirmed. Look for Mike Wallace and Shelton Gibson to see some reps early on with Hollins likely out.

Hollins likely will fill the same role he had last season, but he could see a modest increase in opportunities, Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice reports.

Analysis: A 2017 fourth-round pick, Hollins served as the Eagles' No. 4 wide receiver throughout his rookie season, stuck behind Alshon Jeffery (shoulder), Nelson Agholor and Torrey Smith. The team upgraded from Smith to Mike Wallace this offseason, but there's still a good chance Hollins improves on last year's total of 22 targets, especially if Jeffery isn't ready by Week 1. The 24-year-old Hollins was efficient with his limited opportunities in 2017, catching 16 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.

Hollins could see more reps in 2018 with the departure of Torrey Smith via trade to Carolina, Tim McManus of ESPN reports.

Analysis: The fourth-round pick from the 2017 draft already seemed poised to challenge Smith for his role in the coming season, but that road has become much smoother with this news. Hollins will still be behind Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor on the depth chart, but given the volume in the Eagles' offense, the 24-year-old could be a big-time breakout candidate in 2018.