Patriots coach Mike Vrabel "can't be certain right now" if Mack Hollins will return versus Denver
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel met with reporters on Monday following his team's victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Vrabel said it's too soon to know if veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins will be activated off of injured reserve for the AFC Championship Game Sunday in Denver.
The Patriots offense struggled against the vaunted Houston Texans defense Sunday at Gillette Stadium. But New England's defense more than made up for it by forcing five turnovers on a snowy day in Foxboro. That included forcing Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to throw four interceptions.
Will Mack Hollins play versus Denver?
Vrabel was asked Monday about veteran wide receiver Mack Hollins, who has not played since December 21. Hollins finished that game against the Baltimore Ravens, but was placed on injured reserve with an abdomen injury.
Normally in the regular season, a player has to miss four games on injured reserve, not four weeks. But the rule is different for the playoffs. So while the Texans game was the fourth week Hollins has missed but only the third game, he is now eligible to return if he is deemed healthy enough.
"I can't be certain right now. Still working through everything with some of those guys that could come 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," Vrabel said.
Cornerback Carlton Davis, who had two interceptions, exited Sunday's game late to be evaluated for a head injury. Davis was not allowed to meet with the media after the game due to concussion protocol, so it's not known yet if he could be available against the Broncos.
Christian Gonzalez went through a similar situation last week but was able to clear concussion protocol and play versus Houston.
Vrabel was not asked about Davis' health status, but spoke about the aggressive play style his cornerbacks have.
"They have to play aggressive. It gets lonely out there. We understand that. But the thing that I appreciate about our guys is they come back, they compete, they challenge and good things happen," Vrabel said. "I don't think you can't challenge out there and give free access throws all day. So, I appreciate that. We'll try to continue to coach it and show them what they're seeing and how some of these penalties may or may not be avoidable."
Patriots playoff history in Denver
The Patriots play the Broncos at 3 p.m. Sunday in Denver. The game will air on CBS stations, including WBZ-TV, as well as Paramount+.
Denver is 4-0 all-time in home games against the Patriots in the playoffs. The Mile High City is a notoriously difficult place to play because of the noise from fans in the stadium, and due to the altitude of the stadium.
The team is scheduled to travel to Denver on Saturday.
"Just physiologically you have to be at altitude for longer than a day or two or three. It takes time to do that," Vrabel said. "So, we'll do what we've always done. We'll travel and be in condition and ready to play. That's kind of what it is."
Vrabel, who played for the Patriots during one of their playoff losses to the Broncos, was asked if he had any tips for the team on playing at high altitude.
"I have no tricks. Just play well, try to be prepared. The better condition that you are, the less of an impact that's going to make. But there's no tricks," Vrabel said.
Jarrett Stidham to face former team
The Patriots will face Jarrett Stidham in the AFC title game after Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury in overtime on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.
Stidham was drafted by New England, served as a third-string quarterback behind Tom Brady for one year, then lost the starting job to Cam Newton a year later.
Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels are both familiar with Stidham. McDaniels coached him with the Raiders, and Vrabel said the Patriots attempted to sign Stidham to back up Drake Maye in the offseason.
"Just going back to when Josh had him, and playing against that, I just think he sees things really well. I think he's athletic enough to extend, like we talk about a lot of quarterbacks," Vrabel said. "Accuracy, I think the decision-making. He was really decisive in the games that we went back and watched."
The winner of Sunday's game will face either the Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.