The Denver Broncos have traded wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and a seventh-round pick to the Houston Texans for a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Texans were in need of another receiver opposite DeAndre Hopkins after Will Fuller suffered a season-ending torn ACL last Thursday.

Thomas, 30, had spent the first nine years of his career with the Broncos. The four-time Pro Bowler has been among the most consistent receivers in the league since he became a full-time starter in 2012. From 2012-17, he had at least 80 catches, 900 yards, and five touchdowns as he played 96 out of a possible 96 games.

However, he is a bit off the pace this year. He only has 36 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns through eight games this season.

Thomas had been the subject of much trade speculation for the past few weeks. The New England Patriots had reportedly discussed bringing him in. He recently put his chances of getting traded from Denver at “50-50.”

And now, his time in Denver has come to an end. On the bright side, though, he has a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time in three years as he joins a Texans team that is atop the AFC South thanks to five straight wins.

As for the Broncos, Thomas' exit will now open the door for rookie wide receiver Courtland Sutton to take on a larger role on offense. Sutton, the team's second-round pick this year, has 17 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns in eight games this season.