49ers acquire Jeremy Kerley in exchange for Brandon Thomas

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers moved on from one veteran receiver Saturday, releasing Jerome Simpson. To fill the void, the 49ers made another move Sunday, trading offensive lineman Brandon Thomas to the Detroit Lions for wideout Jeremy Kerley, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

The 49ers are thin at wide receiver and, after releasing Simpson, have only Torrey Smith on the roster with substantial experience and production among wideouts.

With Bruce Ellington (hamstring), DeAndre Smelter (hamstring) and Bryce Treggs (knee) battling injuries, Kerley at worst gives the Niners some depth and at best gives them a veteran option capable of playing in the slot and helping on special teams.

In five NFL seasons with the New York Jets, Kerley has 182 receptions for 2,225 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Lions initially signed Kerley during free agency and he seemed to be headed toward the team's slot receiver job before they signed Anquan Boldin before training camp.

Boldin immediately took over the starting role, leaving Kerley to battle TJ Jones, Andre Roberts and undrafted rookies Jay Lee, Quinshad Davis and Jace Billingsley for a roster spot.

On Saturday against Baltimore, Kerley did not receive a rep on offense and was replaced as the slot receiver with the No. 2 unit by Billingsley.

The 49ers picked Thomas in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft but he did not appear in a game for the team.

ESPN NFL reporter Michael Rothstein contributed to this report.