The New England Patriots are one win away from their first AFC Championship Game appearance since 2018 - a year that feels like a lifetime ago in Foxborough, back when Tom Brady was still calling signals. But before they can start thinking about title games and legacy talk, they’ve got business to handle on Sunday against a Houston Texans team that’s been punching above its weight all season.
And while the Patriots are focused on the task at hand, there’s a potential reinforcement looming just beyond the horizon. Veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins, who’s been sidelined since landing on injured reserve on December 27 with an abdominal injury, is eligible to return to practice next week. That’s a meaningful development as New England looks to bolster its passing attack for a possible showdown with Denver in the AFC title game.
Hollins has stayed engaged during his time away from the field - seen regularly on the sideline during games and increasingly present in the locker room during media sessions. That’s the kind of veteran presence that matters in January, especially for a team that’s had to get creative with its offensive weapons all season.
Before his injury, Hollins was quietly putting together one of the best seasons of his career. At 32, the journeyman wideout had carved out a significant role in the Patriots’ offense, hauling in 46 catches on 65 targets for 550 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t just a security blanket - he was a reliable chain-mover and a steadying influence in a young receiver room.
But his potential return brings with it a ripple effect, particularly for rookie wideout Efton Chism III, who’s made the most of his late-season opportunity.
Chism’s story is the kind that makes this league so compelling. An undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington, he turned heads in rookie minicamp and kept making noise through mandatory minicamp and the preseason. He didn’t crack the active roster until Week 6, and even then, his role was limited to special teams.
But when Hollins went down after the Week 16 win over the Ravens, Chism’s number was finally called - and he’s been answering ever since.
His first regular-season catch didn’t come until Week 17 against the Jets, but he made it count: a touchdown grab, part of a two-catch, 40-yard day that saw him log 41 offensive snaps. He followed that up with a 35-yard reception in Week 18 versus Miami and added a 20-yard catch in last week’s wild card win over the Chargers. He’s also contributed on special teams, averaging 24 yards on two kick returns during that stretch.
In total, Chism has played 81 offensive snaps over the past three games, compared to just 12 on special teams - a clear sign the coaching staff sees real potential in him as a contributor beyond returns.
Now, if the Patriots get past Houston and Hollins is cleared to return to practice, head coach Mike Vrabel will face an intriguing roster decision. Do you make room for the proven veteran, or ride the momentum of a rookie who’s just starting to find his rhythm?
It’s a good problem to have, especially in the postseason. Depth matters.
Playmakers matter. And right now, the Patriots might be in the rare position of having more options than they know what to do with.