The New England Patriots are still playing football into late January.
That's when you know it's been a good season, and the Pats kept themselves alive with a snowy win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
It also means they've got a chance to get Mack Hollins back.
Hollins has been on Injured Reserve for the last four weeks. That's the minimum length of time a player has to be on IR.
An abdominal injury forced Hollins to miss Week 17, Week 18, the Wild Card Round and the Divisional Round.
If Hollins is healthy, he can be activated.
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And apparently, that was a rallying cry for receivers Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs before they beat the Texans, according to this post on X from ESPN's Mike Reiss:
Kayshon Boutte said he and Stefon Diggs shared a moment before yesterday’s game and said to each other, “One more game and we get Mack (Hollins) back.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 19, 2026
(Note: Still reporting to be done if Hollins is indeed medically cleared but players know he is now eligible to return if so.)
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As Reiss notes, the injury status also depends on Hollins actually being healthy.
But if he's good to go, it'll be a big return. He's a reliable blocker and has clutch hands. Drake Maye loves throwing to him in key spots.
The Pats are a win away from a return to the Super Bowl. Getting Hollins back would only help the cause.
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