NFL Insider Hints at Future Texans WR Trade After Jayden Higgins' Season-Ending Knee Injury

The Houston Texans need wide receiver depth after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Jayden Higgins will miss the season due to a torn ACL, and that could mean an outside move before the 2026 campaign starts.

"Could they make a trade for a receiver? Yes, they definitely could," Rapoport reported during a Thursday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "… By the cutdown day, Nick Caserio will probably do something. He is in the handful of GMs who likes to make a move. … I would say a receiver move makes sense."

Rapoport named New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte as a possible target.

While Boutte was solid last season with 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns, he could get buried in a wide receiver room that also includes DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins after the Patriots acquired A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason.

ESPN's Mike Reiss reported earlier this month the receiver "would welcome a trade if the right situation presented itself."

Karen Guregian of Mass Live reported Boutte "requested a trade as far back as April."

The Texans could be an ideal situation as a team in the middle of a win-now window that suddenly needs help and depth at the important position. Perhaps New England can get a better draft pick in return than it otherwise would have before the Higgins injury.

Houston has Nico Collins as the surefire No. 1 option, but there are plenty of question marks beyond him. 

In addition to the Higgins injury, Tank Dell missed the entire 2025 campaign due to a serious knee injury. 

The Texans have arguably the league's top defense and are coming off three straight playoff appearances, but the offense could be a concern. Adding another weapon such as Boutte or someone else before the season could help address some of those worries and put them in a better position to contend for a deep run.