Player Page

Weather | Roster

Michael Turner | Running Back

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (31) / 2/13/1982
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 247
College: Northern Illinois
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Free agent RB Michael Turner still plans to play in the NFL this season.
Unsurprisingly, Turner has generated zero interest on the open market. He's 31, averaged 3.60 YPC last year and sustained an ankle injury of unknown severity in the NFL Championship Game loss to the 49ers. At this point, the best Turner can hope for is a minimum contract and short-yardage role. That opportunity may not come until training camp. Apr 3 - 9:15 AM
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Free agent Michael Turner confirmed following Friday's release that he has no plans to retire.

Turner turned 31 last month. As a declining running back who lacks passing-game chops and big-play ability, he will find a soft free-agent market. "I'm excited to begin a new chapter of my career," Turner said, alluding to his next team. "And truly believe I have a lot left in the tank." NFL clubs will disagree.
Source: NFL.com
Mar 2 - 8:08 AM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Updating a previous item, Michael Turner's release was officially listed as a failed physical on the league's transaction wire.

Turner has battled groin injuries for the last few years. He revealed late in the season that he played through groin tears in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He was also listed on the injury report last season with groin issues. However, Turner has missed just ten games in his nine-year career. He'll likely be on the open market a while, but that's mainly due to his age and wear.
Mar 1 - 9:32 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Falcons released RB Michael Turner.

The Falcons also released DE John Abraham and CB Dunta Robinson. All three players had been mentioned as candidates for release, but it's stunning to see the Falcons part ways with three veteran leaders in one fell swoop. Turner's release is by far the least surprising, as the 31-year-old former "Burner" simply appeared out of gas last season, averaging a miserable 3.6 yards on his 222 carries. His $6.9 million salary was prohibitive. The Falcons must now find a between-the-tackles, preferably veteran, complement for Jacquizz Rodgers. Free agent Steven Jackson is the most obvious candidate. In all, the three releases create $21.4 million in real savings, and $18.7 million in cap space.
Related: John Abraham, Dunta Robinson, Falcons
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 1 - 9:04 AM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Falcons are "likely" to release Michael Turner.

That's the extent of Schefter's report, but it suggests a move is imminent, perhaps before the Combine is through. Releasing Turner and his $6.9 million salary is a no-brainer after he wheezed to 3.6 yards per carry during his age-30 season, and failed to surpass 1,000 yards rushing for just the second time since 2007. Turner is one of the most productive backs of the past half-decade, but is fading fast. He won't generate much buzz on the open market.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Feb 22 - 8:48 AM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner is scheduled to count $8.9 million against the 2013 salary cap, while releasing him would free up $6.4 million.

Turner, who turned 31 on Wednesday, is going to get cut. It's just a matter of time. He's lost a step or four as a runner, and the power that he once possessed is no longer there. Turner also doesn't fit the offense, and the money saved could go towards re-signing SS William Moore and LT Sam Baker. The Falcons will surely look long and hard at Ahmad Bradshaw, Steven Jackson, and Eddie Lacy in free agency and the draft.
Source: ESPN.com
Feb 14 - 1:31 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Citing "those in the know," Dan Pompei of the National Football Post confirms the Falcons will likely move on from Michael Turner.

Per Pompei, the Falcons "look to be in the running back market" and will likely pursue a younger back after 31-year-old Turner's latest late-season fade. NFL scouts told Pompei that Turner has lost his ability to "bounce and cut." His $6.9 million base salary will make releasing Turner an easy decision. The Falcons ought to have a close eye on Alabama's Eddie Lacy in the draft.
Source: National Football Post
Feb 10 - 2:33 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner triggered an escalator in his contract, raising his 2013 salary from $5.5 million to $6.9 million.

If the Falcons didn't have enough of a reason to cut Turner this offseason, then this $1.4 million bump in salary should do the trick. Turner, 31 next month, would have to take a hefty pay cut to return to Atlanta, but the Falcons would be wise to just wash their hands clean of him at this point. They'll be searching for a big back to carry the load, while Jacquizz Rodgers handles third-down duties. Alabama's Eddie Lacy would be an awfully nice fit.
Jan 30 - 2:15 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Michael Turner "probably won't be brought back" in 2013.

If Turner doesn't take a hefty pay cut, then that's the popular sentiment. Turner, 31 next month, is due $5.5 million in the final year of a six-year pact next season. OC Dirk Koetter tried his hardest to phase Turner out of the offense on numerous occasions throughout the year, but scatback Jacquizz Rodgers proved unable to handle the load. Atlanta will be on the lookout for a bigger back to pair with Rodgers this offseason.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan 22 - 2:40 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas confirms that Michael Turner may be a salary cap casualty this offseason.

Barring a drastic pay cut, that's exactly what we expect Turner to be. First-year OC Dirk Koetter intermittently attempted to phase Turner out of Atlanta's 2012 offense, although Koetter kept coming back to Turner because Jacquizz Rodgers couldn't handle the full-time job. For 2013, the Falcons currently owe Turner $5.5 million, the majority of which would come off their cap if he were cut.
Source: ESPN.com
Jan 20 - 8:05 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner was held to 30 yards on eight rushes before departing Sunday's NFC Championship Game loss with an ankle injury.

He didn't return. We should find out more about the injury in the coming days. While Turner can still break tackles with a full head of steam, his short-area burst is lacking going on age 31 and he's owed a non-guaranteed base salary of $5.5 million in 2013. No longer a fit for Dirk Koetter's pass-first offense, Turner may have to accept a sizable pay cut to stay with Atlanta.
Jan 20 - 6:19 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner exited Sunday's NFC Championship Game with a third-quarter ankle injury.

The Falcons deemed him questionable to return. Turner had just 30 yards on eight carries before exiting. Scatback/passing-down specialist Jacquizz Rodgers may have to wrap up the game as Atlanta's every-down running back.
Jan 20 - 5:03 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner rushed 14 times for 98 yards in Sunday's Divisional round victory over the Seahawks.

It was obvious that Falcons game-planned to take advantage of rookie Bruce Irvin in the run game. OC Dirk Koetter called a series of stretches and tosses to the edge, and Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers combined for 161 yards while gashing Seattle's defense. As far as we're concerned, it's the best Turner has looked all season. He faces a stiffer test versus Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in the NFC Championship game.
Jan 13 - 4:34 PM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

ESPN's Pat Yasinskas suggests Michael Turner could be cut this offseason.

Turner continues to follow the typical career path of an aging NFL running back. Showing an alarming lack of burst and averaging just 3.60 YPC, he's been gradually phased out of the offense this season in favor of speedier options. Now his 2013 non-guaranteed salary ($5.5 million) becomes an issue. Yasinskas believes Jacquizz Rodgers is auditioning for next year's feature back role.
Related: Jacquizz Rodgers
Source: ESPN.com
Jan 10 - 8:38 AM
Michael Turner - RB - Free Agent

Michael Turner revealed Thursday that he played through groin tears in both 2010 and 2011.

"One side one year, the other side the next year," Turner explained. The first tear required surgery after the 2010 season, though it's not clear if he went under the knife to repair the 2011 injury. We have little doubt that the nagging groin injuries and the effects of aging and high carry totals have contributed to Turner's obvious loss of speed and leg drive this season.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan 3 - 4:25 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Josh Portis
2Trent Edwards
3Kyle Padron
4Nathan Stanley
5Thaddeus Lewis
6Tim Tebow
7Collin Klein
RB1Michael Turner
2D.J. Ware
3Beanie Wells
4Curtis Brinkley
5Jamie Harper
6Brandon Saine
7Stefphon Jefferson
8Richard Murphy
9Javarris James
10Darren Evans
GLB1Michael Turner
2Montell Owens
3Beanie Wells
4Curtis Brinkley
3RB1D.J. Ware
2Beanie Wells
3Curtis Brinkley
FB1Lousaka Polite
2Montell Owens
3Spencer Larsen
4Brit Miller
5Brock Bolen
6Tony Fiammetta
7Owen Schmitt
8Robert Hughes
9Nate Eachus
10Jourdan Brooks
11Ryan Roberson
12Eddie Williams
13Ryan D'Imperio
14Patrick DiMarco
WR11Titus Young
2Jabar Gaffney
3Laurent Robinson
4Steve Breaston
5Ben Obomanu
6Emmanuel Arceneaux
7Kassim Osgood
8Justin Hilton
9Bert Reed
10Cole McKenzie
11Chris Denton
12Rashaard Carter
WR21Brandon Lloyd
2Early Doucet
3Kerry Meier
4Brandon Banks
5Darius Hanks
6Lavasier Tuinei
7Duke Calhoun
8Seyi Ajirotutu
9Michael Calvin
10Ronald Johnson
11DeMarco Sampson
12Jason Thompson
WR31Jabar Gaffney
2Laurent Robinson
3Steve Breaston
TE1Randy McMichael
2David Thomas
3Kevin Boss
4Josh Baker
5Steve Watson
6Daniel Graham
7Joe Sawyer
8Dedrick Epps
9Martin Rucker
10Evan Moore
11Taylor Cook
K1John Potter
2Derek Dimke