GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Green Bay Packers have released veteran centre Jeff Saturday.

General manager Ted Thompson announced the move Monday. Saturday signed a two-year deal with the Packers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2012 after playing 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He had been the Colts' full-time starting centre since 2000. He became a fan favourite, a key figure in the NFL Players Association and one of Peyton Manning's closest friends.

Saturday, a six-time Pro Bowl selection in 14 seasons, was benched as a starter with two games left in the regular season in favour of Evan Dietrich-Smith.

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