The Houston Texans have made exploratory trade calls on adding a wide receiver after Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending knee injury, sources told KPRC 2 Houston's Aaron Wilson.
Among the players Houston has targeted are New England Patriots wideout Kayshon Boutte and Baltimore Ravens pass-catcher Rashod Bateman, Wilson adds.
The Texans are also signing veteran receivers Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones after hosting them for a workout Friday, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. Jones caught 12 passes for 183 yards last season while Shepard recorded 371 yards on 39 catches.
Boutte has reportedly been looking for a new home this offseason. He skipped voluntary workouts in the spring after the Patriots brought in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Boutte recorded 551 yards and six touchdowns last campaign but is expected to have a reduced role this season in the final year of his rookie deal.
Bateman is under contract through the 2029 campaign after inking a three-year, $36.75-million extension in 2025. The former first-round pick is projected to play a significant part in Baltimore's offense under new play-caller Declan Doyle.
The Texans aren't expected to pursue a reunion with DeAndre Hopkins. The 34-year-old hasn't officially retired despite taking a job on Georgia Tech's coaching staff.
Houston officially placed Higgins on injured reserve Friday due to a torn ACL. The second-round pick in last year's draft flashed as a rookie, posting 41 catches on 68 targets for 525 yards and six touchdowns.
The Texans now have Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel, and Xavier Hutchinson on the wide receiver depth chart. Dell has returned to practice after a serious knee injury sidelined him all of last season, but it's unclear when he can play in 2026.
