Patriots Eye AFC Title Game-and a Potential Boost from Mack Hollins’ Return
FOXBOROUGH - As the Patriots warmed up for their divisional round clash with the Houston Texans, there was more than just playoff survival on the minds of Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Amid the swirling January winds and postseason pressure, the two receivers shared a quiet but meaningful moment: “One more game, and we get Mack back.”
That Mack, of course, is veteran wideout Mack Hollins, who’s been sidelined with an abdominal injury. He was placed on injured reserve earlier in the season, but now-just in time for the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos-he’s eligible to return. And for a Patriots offense that has leaned heavily on timing, toughness, and depth at receiver, Hollins’ presence could be a timely boost.
“It would mean a lot,” Boutte said when asked about the possibility of Hollins rejoining the active roster. “Even before this game, that was the message to our receivers.
Me and Diggs come out before the game and talk together when we come out of the tunnel for warmups and said, ‘One more game, and we get Mack back.’ I think it would mean a lot to Mack.
We bust our ass to get where we are today, the AFC Championship.”
There’s no question Hollins has been a tone-setter for this group-not just with his physicality and blocking, but with the kind of veteran leadership that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. His return wouldn’t just be about production; it’s about presence. And in a game that’s often decided by inches and intangibles, that matters.
Still, the decision isn’t final. When head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Hollins’ status for the upcoming title matchup, he kept things close to the vest.
“I can’t be certain right now,” Vrabel said. “We’re still working through everything with some of those guys that could be back.
Josh Farmer could be eligible to come back, as well as Mack. Those aren’t decisions that we’ve made yet.”
Vrabel’s response is classic playoff poker-keep your cards close, don’t tip your hand. But the mere possibility of getting Hollins back is clearly fueling the locker room. For a team that’s battled through injuries and leaned on its depth all season, reinforcements at this stage could be the difference between a deep run and a season-ending disappointment.
With the AFC Championship on deck and the Broncos looming, the Patriots know every edge counts. And for this group of receivers, “one more game” might just mean getting one of their most trusted guys back in the huddle-right when they need him most.