The Houston Texans have bolstered their roster by acquiring wide receiver Kayshon Boutte from the New England Patriots. In return, the Texans sent safety Jaylen Reed along with a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NFL Draft to New England.
Boutte, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, joins the Texans as they aim to regain the AFC South title, previously held by the Jacksonville Jaguars. This trade was prompted by the season-ending injury of Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins, who tore his ACL during a practice session with the Raiders on August 19.
Higgins had a strong rookie season, recording 41 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns. Now sidelined, he will focus on recovery, leading the Texans to seek additional support behind Pro Bowler Nico Collins. During his tenure with the Patriots, Boutte appeared in 29 games over two seasons, amassing over 500 receiving yards each year.
He caught three touchdown passes in 2024 and six in 2025, contributing to the Patriots' AFC title and their appearance in Super Bowl 60. However, his playing time decreased this offseason with the arrival of AJ Brown from the Eagles and the signing of former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs.
Further insights into the trade's impact on the Texans’ upcoming season remain to be disclosed.
