Tim Tebow

Broncos RB Willis McGahee likely will not be on a strict limitation of carries and overall touches, but the team will try to watch his workload to extend his effectiveness.

“The thing is, with running backs, when they start to get a little bit older, you have to manage their workload — not only in practice, but also in games,” executive vice president John Elway told over 8,000 fans on a conference call Tuesday.

McGahee will still be the Broncos’ primary back on first and second downs, but after he was dogged with knee and hamstring discomfort in November and December of 2011, they’ll be quicker to relieve him for backup options Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball and rookie Ronnie Hillman than they were last year.

“The last thing we want to do with Willis is wear him out,” Elway said. “Obviously he does a good job on first and second down; he’s tremendous between the tackles; he still has great feet and is our big back at 240 pounds.”

That means you might see plenty of McGahee in short yardage and at the goal line.

With Tim Tebow gone, McGahee has a chance to post double-digit TDs provided that the Broncos' offense is productive.