The New England Patriots acquired wide receiver and kick returner Keshawn Martin from the Houston Texans for an undisclosed draft pick on Thursday.
The Patriots also released defensive lineman Khyri Thornton.
The 25-year-old Martin was a fourth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2012 and totaled 416 yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions while also contributing on special teams. He has returned 68 kicks for 1,707 yards and 86 punts for 766 yards, including a 87-yard touchdown in 2013.
Thornton, 26, joined the Patriots on Sept. 6 after he was claimed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers. He was inactive for New England’s season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Drafted in the third round by the Packers in 2014, Thornton was injured in the final game of the preseason last year and was placed on injured reserve.
PATS NOTES: Center David Andrews, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia, earned the opening start for New England and played wire-to-wire in the middle of a line that was missing C Bryan Stork and veteran OL Ryan Wendell. G Tre’ Jackson, a fourth-round rookie out of Florida State, started to Andrews’ right, while G Shaq Mason, another fourth-round rookie out of Georgia Tech, saw extensive reps at left guard. That’s a lot of youth in front of Tom Brady, and the young trio could see plenty more action on Sunday in Buffalo against Rex Ryan’s impressive defensive front.