Broncos trade star receiver Thomas to Texans

The Denver Broncos have traded star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the Houston Texans, the teams announced.

The Broncos acquired a fourth-round draft pick from the Texans and the teams will also swap seventh-round picks. The two teams play each other this Sunday in Denver.

“Demaryius had an incredible run here and we can’t thank him enough for everything he’s meant to the Broncos,” Broncos president John Elway said in a statement. “He developed into an elite player over the years, establishing himself as one NFL’s most productive, consistent and reliable wide receivers.

“D.T. was a big part of so many wins and memorable moments as a Bronco. Although it’s tough to end this chapter, we’re excited about the talent we have at the wide receiver position and wish Demaryius all the best with the Texans.”

Thomas is second on the Broncos in receptions (36) and receiving yards (402) and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (three) this season. But his hefty salary-cap figure for 2019 ($17.533 million in what is the last year of his deal) and the emergence of rookie Courtland Sutton as a big-play threat had raised the possibility of Thomas being shipped elsewhere.

The Texans have a need at wide receiver after Will Fuller was lost for the season with a torn ACL in his right knee, suffered during the team’s win over the Dolphins on Thursday night.

Fuller has missed nine games in his first three NFL seasons. He has dealt with hamstring injuries, including one this season that caused him to miss a game. He also missed the first three games of the 2017 season with a broken collarbone.

Fuller had 32 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns this season.

The Texans have also had trouble keeping rookie receiver Keke Coutee on the field.

Thomas, 30, has the second-most receiving yards (9,055) and touchdown catches (60) in Broncos history, trailing Rod Smith in both categories.

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