ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --On Thursday, the Broncos released running back Willis McGahee.

The 11th-year veteran spent the last two seasons in Denver, accumulating 1,930 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

He rushed for 100 or more yards 10 times as a Bronco, and was part of a rushing attack in 2011 that set a franchise record with 164.5 yards per game, which led the league. He made his second career Pro Bowl after his 1,199-yard campaign that season.

"It's never easy to part ways with a veteran player who made so many positive contributions to our team and community," Broncos Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said. "I appreciate all of the competitiveness, toughness and leadership Willis brought to the Broncos. He was an integral part of our team's turnaround during the past two seasons, and I wish him the best as he continues his NFL career."

A former All-American at the University of Miami, McGahee's NFL career began with Buffalo (2003-06) and Baltimore (2007-10), and he is just the second player in league history to gain 1,000 yards in a season with three different teams.

In 130 career regular-season games, he owns 8,097 rushing yards -- fourth-most among active running backs -- and 63 touchdowns in addition to 202 receptions for 1,319 yards with five scores. He has also gained 408 yards with five touchdowns in nine playoff games. McGahee's 33 career 100-yard rushing games are tied for the second most among active players.

The club now has seven backs on the roster -- C.J. Anderson, Lance Ball, Montee Ball, Jacob Hester, Ronnie Hillman, Jeremiah Johnson and Knowshon Moreno.

"You look at our running back situation and we're in a good position there because we've got a lot guys that can play football," Elway told fans last week at a sponsor appreciation event for 850 KOA. "We've got a lot of guys that are going to be good football players for us and possibly great."