First look at Kayshon Boutte in Texans uniform with new jersey number

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte appeared on the practice field with the Houston Texans for the first time on Wednesday, and he was wearing a new jersey number.

After spending the last three years wearing No. 9 in New England , Boutte will don No. 88 in Houston.

The former sixth-round draft pick stole headlines on Monday after he was traded to the Texans for a 2028 seventh-round draft pick and second-year safety Jaylen Reed . Patriots fans weren't too happy about the return on the trade being a late-round pick nearly two years away and a player who contributed mostly on special teams for the Texans last season.

There was hope that the Patriots would keep Boutte, along with the other six receivers currently viewed as locks to make the 53-man roster, including A.J. Brown , Romeo Doubs , DeMario Douglas , Mack Hollins , Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III .

Boutte has joined a Texans team with more questions than answers at receiver.

Outside of Nico Collins , Jayden Higgins was expected to be the other big-bodied receiving target, but he suffered a season-ending injury. The team is likely curious to see if Boutte can help fill that void as a legitimate No. 2 option. With that said, there are no guarantees that he will even start for the Texans.

"Just talking to people in Houston, it doesn't sound like he's assumed to be a starter even there," NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry said on Boutte, when appearing on Toucher & Hardy . "…They're not necessarily like enamored with this guy. They don't feel as if they've gotten one over the Patriots and this is like this massive steal for them, even though they have a need at the position now, given that they've dealt with some injuries there recently."

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