The New Orleans Saints released veteran running back Pierre Thomas on Thursday.

The move had been reported Wednesday.

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.

The Saints would like to re-sign Ingram, who will become a free agent on Tuesday.

Coach Sean Payton said he spoke this week with Ingram and expressed hope that the five-year veteran will be back next season.

The Saints declined to pick up the $5 million fifth-year option on Ingram last summer, likely because of his past injury problems. But Ingram responded with a big season — upping his value on the open market.

Speaking to New Orleans Pelicans sideline reporter Jennifer Hale during a Pelicans-Dallas Mavericks game on Monday night, Payton reiterated his comments at the Combine that Ingram was still in the team’s plans.

“Hopefully, he’s someone that’s back in the Black and Gold because he’s been a big part of our success offensively,” Payton said of Ingram, who rushed for 964 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Ingram, the second of two first-round draft picks for the Saints in 2011, is considered one of the top running backs available in free agency.

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

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.