Mack Hollins injury update: Patriots receiver eligible for AFC Championship

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Mack Hollins injury update: Patriots receiver eligible for AFC Championship

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Jan 19, 2026 ·

2 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte ran out of the pregame tunnel and onto Gillette Stadium together for the Patriots ’ matchup with the Houston Texans . As the two veteran receivers were warming up, they were already looking ahead.

Sunday’s divisional round matchup marked the fourth game that the Patriots ’ offense was without Mack Hollins . The veteran receiver is eligible to come off the team’s injured reserve and play in Sunday’s AFC Championship game .

That’s something that would make his teammates excited.

On Monday, Boutte said that he and Diggs were talking about getting Hollins back in the lineup before the team’s opening kickoff against the Texans.

“It would mean a lot,” Boutte said about getting Hollins back. “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.”

Hollins, 32, established himself as a key receiver for the Patriots this season. The veteran started 13 of 15 games played, finishing third on the team in receptions (46) and receiving yards (550). At 6-foot-4, he proved to be a versatile deep threat and red zone threat for quarterback Drake Maye . His size also allowed him to excel as a run blocker.

This season marked the second most productive of Hollins’ career.

That’s why it was a blow when Hollins suffered an abdominal injury in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens . The receiver was placed on the injured reserve, missing the final two regular-season games and the Patriots’ first two playoff matchups.

Hollins is now eligible to rejoin his teammates this week if he gets medical clearance. Rookie defensive tackle Joshua Farmer is also eligible to come off the injured reserve.

On Monday, Mike Vrabel said the team hasn’t decided on either player. The Patriots should know more by Wednesday when the team practices for the first time this week.

“I can’t be certain right now,” Vrabel said when asked if Hollins would practice. “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.”

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