Martin was on the field for 50 of 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-6 win over the Cowboys, ESPN.com reports.

In the process, Martin caught both of his targets for 23 yards. For now, it looks like he has overtaken Aaron Dobson in the Patriots' wideout pecking order, though generally the team's three most reliable fantasy options in the passing game are WR Julian Edelman, TE Rob Gronkowski and RB Dion Lewis.

Martin, who was on the field for 36 of 81 snaps on offense in Sunday's 51-17 win over the Jaguars, per ESPN's Mike Reiss, caught all three of his targets for 33 yards and a TD in the process.

Though Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson all saw more snaps than Martin on Sunday, the newcomer has quickly emerged as part of the team's wideout rotation since being acquired from the Texans in a trade. That said, Martin's targets figure to be sporadic in the coming weeks, making him a speculative fantasy play.

The Texans have traded Martin to the Patriots, the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Chris Harper having been waived by the Patriots, Martin will boost the team's wideout depth behind Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson, plus he can also be a contributor in the return game.

Martin has retained a spot on the Texans' roster.

The Texans allotted much playing time to newcomers during the preseason, but in the end Martin retained a spot on the roster. Whether he's still involved as a return man hasn't been determined -- rookie fifth-round pick Keith Mumphrey, who returned kicks during the preseason, also made the team.

Martin caught five passes on seven targets for 31 yards and a 16-yard touchdown reception in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Cowboys.

Martin had a couple of good weeks to finish out the preseason as he tries to hold off Keith Mumphrey and Chandler Worthy.

Martin had two catches on three targets for 33 yards in Saturday night's preseason game against Denver.

All three of his targets came on the final series of the game from third-string quarterback Tom Savage. That's says all you need to know about Martin's hold on a roster spot. He's been the Texans' primary returner -- either on punts or kickoffs or both -- since he joined the team as a fourth-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2012, but has done little as a receiver. And so far during preseason, the Texans are looking at others in the return game. Martin's survived other preseasons when the organization brought in competition, but as a holdover from a previous regime, he might not be in head coach Bill O'Brien's plans.

Martin finished the 2015 season with six catches on 12 targets for 78 yards.

All of those numbers were career-lows for the third-year veteran, who holds a job in the NFL because of his return abilities. And even that skill isn't enough, as the Texans have opened up the competition in training camp each of the last two seasons. After Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, the Texans were very thin at wideout. There's an opportunity for someone to become a third threat, but apparently, the present coaching regime don't view Martin as an option.

Martin returned three punts for 30 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to Dallas.

Martin has been returned to the role he's held the last two seasons after head coach Bill O'Brien used Damaris Johnson as the return specialist to start the season.

Martin will open the season as Houston's punt and kick returner, CSN Houston reports.

The Texans opened up the competition during training camp and preseason, but in the end coach Bill O'Brien is sticking with the incumbent. Martin has average 10.0 yards per punt return and 25.2 yards per kick return in two seasons.

Martin is "one of the most improved players" on the Texans according to head coach Bill O'Brien, CSN Houston reports. "He's a guy that obviously, he's a special teams kicker returner, punt returner and then we played him at all the spots at the receiver position. We played him outside, put him on the inside and he's improved a great deal."

Martin was used in several roles during Saturday night's preseason win, returning kicks, catching passes and running the ball three times. It all bodes well for his chances to stick with the team.

Martin caught three passes (three targets) for 39 yards in Houston's preseason win over Atlanta on Saturday.

Martin had a big grab for 31 yards in Houston's two-minute offense that produced a touchdown late in the first half. With Andre Johnson and Mike Thomas not dressing Saturday, the Texans got a look at several wideouts, including Martin. Beyond Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, the wide receiver depth chart still needs to be fleshed out.

Martin caught one pass for six yards on three targets in Saturday's preseason opener against the Cardinals.

With Andre Johnson (hamstring) not playing, DeAndre Hopkins and DeVier Posey started on the outside while Mike Thomas served as the slot man in three-wide sets. Martin is unlikely to earn any kind of significant role in the offense, but he should stand a pretty good chance to stick around as a return man and No. 5 wide receiver.

Keshawn Martin and DeVier Posey could be competing for one roster spot.

New coach Bill O'Brien recently mentioned slot receiver as a need for the Texans.

It sounds like O'Brien isn't entirely on board with theoretical incumbent slot receiver Keshawn Martin, who has disappointed as a 2012 fourth-round pick. He finished 2013 with 22 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns, also turning in underwhelming averages on kickoff returns (26.3 yards) and punts (8.8).

Keshawn Martin caught one pass for two yards in Week 17 against the Titans.

Martin served as Houston's No. 3 receiver for much of the season but was far from fantasy relevancy. He appeared in all 16 games and caught 22 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Martin also returned kicks and punts for the Texans. He has two years left on his rookie deal. Ideally, Martin would be a No. 4 receiver.

Texans WR Keshawn Martin caught four balls for 35 yards and a touchdown in Houston's Week 16 loss to Denver.

Martin is a situational slot receiver in the Texans' offense, and also returns punts. He made two big plays in this one, one on a 15-yard receiving score in the third quarter and the second on a 51-yard punt return. Martin has limited long-term appeal in fantasy leagues. His role is unlikely to change when the Texans face the Titans in Week 17.

Keshawn Martin caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in Houston's Week 14 loss to the Jaguars.

The catches were a new season high for Martin, while the touchdown was his first. His six targets were largely a function of the Texans going into pass-happy comeback mode. Martin remains well off the re-draft radar.

Keshawn Martin (shoulder) is probable for Week 7 against the Chiefs.

Martin practiced on a limited basis this week and will continue to play through his shoulder injury. He has eight catches for 104 yards in six games as Houston's No. 3 receiver and remains off the fantasy radar.

Keshawn Martin caught two passes for 12 yards in Week 6 versus St. Louis.

Martin was targeted four times and lost a fumble on a kick return that was returned by the Rams for a touchdown. Martin isn't on the fantasy radar.

Keshawn Martin (shoulder) is questionable for Week 6.

Martin was limited in practice all week and will be a game-time decision. DeVier Posey will fill in as Houston's No. 3 receiver if Martin is held out.