The Houston Texans have found their replacement for second-year receiver Jayden Higgins following his season-ending injury.
Right now, there seems to be a clear option on the table and certainly a player looking for a bigger role.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Texans have traded for New England Patriots starter Kayshon Boutte in exchange for a draft pick and safety Jaylen Reed. Boutte had been the top name mentioned by insiders as the player to be moved before the start of the season.
Boutte, 24, had a promising season last year as the No. 2 target for Drake Maye en route to the Super Bowl. The LSU product caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high 6 touchdowns, including a game-sealing touchdown reception in the divisional round playoff win over the Texans.
Trade! The Patriots are sending WR Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick, sources tell @ringer@netflixsports. pic.twitter.com/NZXCdOX4RT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 24, 2026This offseason, the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in free agency and trades and gave each top money. Even though Boutte would have been a part of the offense, Doubs and Brown were expected to be the new top two weapons opposite tight end Hunter Henry. This likely reduces Boutte’s exposure in the offense and makes him a name worth dicussing via the trade markets.
Houston needed to make a move before Week 1 to upgrade the receiver room. Higgins was expected to be the next big name for the Texans' passing attack after cruising through training camp as the breakout star.
He now will turn toward 2027 after suffering a torn ACL in Tuesday's joint practice against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Entering 2026, Houston is the favorite to win the AFC, largely because of its No. 1-ranked defense and revamped offensive line. Outside of Pro Bowler Nico Collins, there isn't a proven wide receiver with consistent numbers to make Texans' fans feel content.
Sure, the AFC South franchise expects both Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel to be factors in the passing game, but both are still recovering from injuries. Noel, who returned to practice on Monday, has been limited in all of training camp due to a finger issue and hamstring tightness, while Dell is still working his way back from a freak knee injury in 2024 that put his career in jeopardy.
The Texans continue their preseason battle on Friday evening against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
The game will be locally televised on ABC.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans land new WR No. 2, trade for Patirots standout Kayshon Boutte
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