ENGLEWOOD, COLO. (AP) -- Willis McGahee is still beating the odds as he approaches his 30th birthday.

The big, bruising tailback who has overcome injuries throughout his nine-year NFL career has ascended to the top of Denver's depth chart with two 100-yard performances over the last three weeks.

McGahee was Ray Rice's backup in Baltimore the last two seasons.

In August, he signed a free agent contract in Denver, eager for a new beginning with the Broncos.

He took advantage of oft-injured Knowshon Moreno's hamstring injury to grab hold of the starting job and provide the Broncos with a toughness in the backfield that's been largely absent since Peyton Hillis and Mike Shanahan were still together in Denver.

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