The New Orleans Saints reportedly will release veteran running back Pierre Thomas.

The Saints also reportedly are shopping linebacker Curtis Lofton as they work to trim $22 million in salaries to get under the $143.3 million salary cap by Tuesday.

The expected departures of Thomas and Lofton would save the team about $6 million.

Thomas had signed a two-year, $4 million extension last year and was scheduled to earn $2.1 million next season.

Thomas, 30, played for the Saints for eight seasons, rushing for 3,745 yards, catching 327 passes for 2,608 yards and scoring 40 touchdowns.

He finished the 2014 season on injured reserve as Mark Ingram took command of the starting tailback position. In 11 games, Thomas ran for 222 yards, caught 45 passes for 378 yards and scored three times.

Lofton, 28, is in the middle of a five-year, $27.5 million contract, scheduled to make $7.25 million in 2015, including a $4.5 million roster bonus.

Lofton has recorded more than 100 tackles in each of his three seasons with the Saints, including 144 last year.

The news on both players was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.