Pats Pulpit
As Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte shared their usual embrace before running out for warmups on Sunday, the two wide receivers took a moment to look ahead — specifically, to the potential return of fellow wide receiver Mack Hollins.
“It would mean a lot,” Boutte said. “Even before this game, that was the message to our receivers. Me and Diggs come out before the game and we talk together when we come out of the tunnel for warmups and just said, ‘One more game, and we get Mack back.’ But I think it would mean a lot to Mack. We bust our ass to get where we are today, the AFC Championship.”
Hollins, who would typically join the duo before taking the field, is eligible to return from injured reserve this week. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, however, stopped short of committing to the veteran’s return.
“I can’t be certain right now,” Vrabel said Monday morning. “We’re just still working through everything with some of those guys that could be back. [Defensive tackle] Josh Farmer could be eligible to come back, as well as Mack. But those aren’t decisions that we’ve made yet.”
Hollins suffered an abdomen injury in the Patriots’ Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens and was later placed on injured reserve. He missed the team’s final two regular-season games and the first two playoff matchups.
Prior to injury, Hollins had established himself as a key piece of New England’s offense offense. Signed to a two-year deal this offseason, Hollins started 13 of 15 games and led the receiver group in snaps as his size made him a reliable target for Drake Maye and an asset in the run game.
In his absence, rookie Efton Chism III, who has established a close relationship with Hollins throughout the year, took on a bigger role in the offense and caught his first career touchdown in Week 17. Hollins was there to celebrate with him as the receiver has continued to hold a regular presence on the sidelines and in meeting rooms while on injured reserve.
“He’s around in all the meetings, and we talk a lot about things that he might see with the upcoming opponent. He’s been helping Efton with some stuff. He’s definitely stayed around and involved,” said wide receivers coach Todd Downing.
