Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas heard from several of his new Texans teammates after news broke of his trade to Houston.
"The first one was Deshaun (Watson)," Thomas said. "Me and him were talking, for sure. Kareem Jackson, I heard from him. I texted D-Hop (DeAndre Hopkins), a couple of guys."
The five-time Pro Bowler cleared his physical on Wednesday morning and practiced with the Texans, wearing No. 87. Thomas is a welcome addition for a receiving group that lost Will Fuller V to a season-ending ACL injury just last week. The former Bronco, now in his ninth NFL season, appreciated getting to know his new quarterback.
"It means a lot for an older guy," Thomas said. "Especially with the younger guys, the weapons that he had around him, to praise a guy like me and to want a guy on the squad to help this team out."
Thomas also heard from veteran Kareem Jackson. Both were first-round selections in the 2010 NFL Draft class. Houston drafted Jackson at No. 20 and two picks later, Denver selected Thomas at No. 22. However, their friendship began long before their preparation for the NFL.
"Yeah, we grew up in the same area, so I've known him ever since like middle school, high school," Jackson said. "Just kind of playing against each other in the summertime, basketball and stuff. Also, once he got to Georgia Tech, one of my best friends was his roommate, so I've known him for a long time. We've spent a lot of time together."
Jackson grew up in Macon just 40 miles away from Montrose, Georgia, where Thomas lived until the two parted ways for college. On Sunday, for the first time in their careers, the two will play on the same team.
Jackson can't wait.
"To have known him for a while and always competing against him, now getting a chance to go compete with him, wearing the same colors I'm wearing and going out there on Sundays, that will definitely be a lot of fun," Jackson said.
Thomas is expected to make his Texans debut on Sunday against his former Denver Broncos. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT on CBS and SportsRadio 610.
Check out some of the best shots from WR Demaryius Thomas' NFL career. Photos via AP Images.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas smiles as he runs on the field during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas reacts after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the game in overtime of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is hit by Oakland Raiders linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a pass in front of New York Jets' Darryl Roberts (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Thomas scored a touchdown on the play. The Jets won 34-16. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) scores a touchdown as Los Angeles Rams strong safety John Johnson (43) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts strong safety Matthias Farley (41) and cornerback Quincy Wilson (31) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs after the catch against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Patrick Robinson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (23) pulls down Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) after the catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
File- This Nov. 12, 2017, file photo shows Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) running after the catch against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Denver. Thomas isn't really into numbers, but he knows he's 108 yards shy of reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season. "Everybody telling me" is how he keeps track, he said. "Last week I knew it was 160 because I found out in the meeting. Of course I'm going to remember. I was never a number guy, but hey, that's a cool thing to know." (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas reacts after hauling in a touchdown pass in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates with teammate Wes Welker after his second touchdown reception against the San Diego Chargers in a NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signals first down after the catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) lines up against Houston Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates during an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (NFL Photos via AP)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) pulls in a catch as San Diego Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) stretches over the goal line to score against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
