Phillip Dorsett was aware that his name was popping up as a potential trade target for the Houston Texans. Even after Houston traded for receiver Demaryius Thomas, the Texans were interested in trading with the New England Patriots for Dorsett, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

“I heard about it. I try to stay off social media but obviously everything comes to you, but I didn’t have a reaction,” Dorsett told Patriots Wire on Wednesday. “I’ve been traded before, so it was kind of nerve-wracking. I did get a little startled. I’m not going to lie. I’m just glad I’m here. Thankful that I’m still here.”

The Patriots traded for Dorsett at the beginning of the 2017 season in a deal with the Indianapolis Colts involving quarterback Jacoby Brissett. In the last season and a half, Dorsett, a 2015 first-round pick, has had 32 receptions for 392 yards with New England. In 2018, he has 20 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

“I love it here. For me to get traded again, it would’ve been tough. I would’ve been a little shook, but like I said, I’m here,” Dorsett said. “I’m just thankful I’m still here. I’m giving this team everything I’ve got every day on the practice field, and whatever they ask me to do, I do.”

Some of the players entrenched in trade rumors expressed how they were feeling on social media. Receiver Golden Tate, who the Detroit Lions traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, shared an iconic GIF of an endlessly sweaty Jordan Peele before the trade became official.

Was that how Dorsett was feeling?

“You get nervous, because you do know it’s a business,” Dorsett said. “My first thought was about when I first got traded. It’s tough. You’ve just got to go with it.”

It’s not clear how far the trade discussions got between the Patriots and Texans. In fact, the Patriots were reportedly interested in trading for a receiver. But Dorsett won’t be influenced by these rumors.

“My mentality doesn’t change,” Dorsett said. “You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to make sure you’re ready mentally and physically. Making sure I understand the playbook, making sure I know everything, making sure I know the full game plan.”

There are a two reasons why Dorsett might have made for a good trade candidate. He’s got an expiring contract at the end of 2018, and he’s also buried beneath a deep depth chart of receivers. Dorsett looked likely to shoot up the depth chart in production for the first few weeks when Julian Edelman was suspended and before Josh Gordon arrived in a trade. However, Edelman’s return and Gordon’s arrival have erased Dorsett’s role in the offense. For now, Dorsett does most his work off the field, in the event his team needs him.

“It hasn’t been tough, because we’ve been winning,” he said with a smile when asked about his diminished snap count. “We’ve been winning. Nothing’s more fun than winning games, so it hasn’t been tough. Whatever they need, I’m here for them. I’m here for Josh. I’m helping him as much as I can’t. He sits right by me. He’s doing a great job.”

Thanks in part to Dorsett’s tutelage, Gordon has been taking on a bigger role in recent weeks. He played 82 percent of snaps in the Patirots’ Monday night win over the Bills in Week 8. Against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, Gordon hit 100 receiving yards.

Even though Dorsett got five snaps on Sunday, even though his decreased role could cost him thousands in free agency, the receiver seems content not to have to pick up and move during the middle of the season.