New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan has been cleared to play for the team’s AFC divisional-round playoff game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Hogan missed seven of the final eight games of the regular season with a shoulder injury, which he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 29. He struggled in the lone game he played after suffering the injury against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 11 and was subsequently shut down for the remainder of the regular season.
Hogan had started this season well, catching 33 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns in his first eight games. His return should be a nice boost to the Patriots’ receiving corps, which has used the likes of Phillip Dorsett, Danny Amendola, and Kenny Britt alongside No. 1 target Brandin Cooks in Hogan’s absence.
If he’s back to 100 percent effectiveness, Hogan can provide another dimension for Tom Brady in an already dangerous Patriots offense which features Cooks, Rob Gronkowski, and Dion Lewis among many others. His speed and ability as a deep threat can help put even more pressure on a tough Titans defense.
Hogan played his role to perfection during last season’s AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had nine catches for a career-high 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns to help the Patriots get the 36-17 win.
Hogan's 180 receiving yards set a new single-game Patriots postseason franchise record, topping Deion Branch’s 153-yard performance in 2006. It was also the most by an undrafted player, just edging out Steve Watson's 177 yards in 1984.