FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that they have acquired WR Keshawn Martin in a trade with the Houston Texans in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick. In addition, the Patriots released DL Khyri Thornton.
Martin, 25, is in his fourth NFL season after entering the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick (121st overall) by Houston out of Michigan State in the 2012 NFL Draft. Martin dressed but did not play in the Texans' season-opening game last week against Kansas City. The 5-foot-11, 194-pounder, has played in 48 NFL games with two starts and has registered 38 receptions for 416 yards with three touchdowns. He also has returned 68 kicks for 1,707 yards and has returned 86 punts for 766 yards, including an 87-yard touchdown in 2013.
Thornton, 25, was claimed off waivers from Green Bay on Sept. 6, 2015. He was inactive for the season opener vs. Pittsburgh. Thornton originally entered the NFL as a third-round draft pick (85th overall) by Green Bay in 2014 out of Southern Mississippi. The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder, suffered an injury in the 2014 preseason finale and spent his rookie season on Injured Reserve. He was released by Green Bay on Sept. 5, 2015.
