The Houston Texanshave found their replacement forsecond-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 toNFL 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, 2026
This 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.
Here's some of the best reactions from the fan base on the news surrounding Houston's newest pass-catcher.
The #Patriots have traded WR Kayshon Boutte to the #Texans for S Jaylen Reed and a 7th-round pick, per reports.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2026
Boutte, who has been in trade talks all offseason, joins Houston and will help replace Jayden Higgins. pic.twitter.com/i1LCTvxl9R
BREAKING NEWS: The New England Patriots are trading Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for Jaylen Reed and a draft pick #PMSLive https://t.co/6UjVxeAKxV pic.twitter.com/bInZOyYC8I
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 24, 2026
Houston Texans WR Kayshon Bouttepic.twitter.com/dCMGkguYgn
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 24, 2026
Scored on the Texans in the playoffs: ✅
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 24, 2026
Traded to the Texans the next season: ✅
Welcome to Houston Kayshon Boutte. pic.twitter.com/jCWKLDxLhS
Not surprised the Texans were interested in Kayshon Boutte after this pic.twitter.com/xjj2Xeq7I0
— Boston Diehards (@Boston_Diehards) August 24, 2026
The Texans couldn’t stop Kayshon Boutte, so they traded for him.
— Alex Conti (@AlexConti) August 24, 2026
What a great time in New England.
The Texans got a fantastic receiver. pic.twitter.com/wySxO5rMNa
It finally happened and was traded to the team many expected.
— Michael Rodnick (@MJRodnick) August 24, 2026
Kayshon Boutte is now a Houston Texan. https://t.co/e8UT7ZM18e
Few quick takes here:
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 24, 2026
* Tank Dell (knee) been unable to sustain practice
* Texans showed zero desire to expand Jaylin Noel role last season, was hurt much of this camp, maybe slot role this year
* Kayshon Boutte & blocking-type Xavier Hutchinson competing for snaps in 2-WR sets https://t.co/5j6e1qX51F
hey this is a nice deal! Boutte has seemingly been having a great camp but is clearly blocked for playing time and the Texans need a guy with his skillset with Jayden Higgins down. wonder if this ends up being a rental with Boutte a FA in 2027 https://t.co/2AEfnYbNUT
— alex katson 🇯🇵 (@alexkatson) August 24, 2026
The Jayden Higgins injury really bummed me out because it just gave us another excuse to not be the Super Bowl winner we should be. Picking up Kayshon Boutte alleviates that concern. There is no reason why this Texans team shouldn’t be able to get the job done. Exciting times.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) August 24, 2026
The Patriots find a player-for-player trade for Kayshon Boutte. Reed was a sixth-round pick by the Texans last year, played in 7 games. The move comes after Craig Woodson got banged up on Saturday
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 24, 2026
Great landing spot for Boutte, who should get plenty of chances to contribute https://t.co/8m4htalEoQ
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Social media reacts to Texans trade for WR Kayshon Boutte
