D.J.

Shockley

The seventh-round pick has dazzled with his athleticism at early practices. Randall succeeded Michael Vick and preceded Marcus at Virginia Tech.

Despite the result, there is still the possibility he has suffered serious ligament damage. He will be further examined on Sunday. The Falcons were reportedly inquiring about Eagles QB Kelly Holcomb even before the injury.

Shockley was battling Chris Redman for the backup job to Joey Harrington in Atlanta. Casey Bramlet could make the team if Shockley’s out for the season.

The procedure was performed by noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Shockley is out for the season.

From top to bottom, there isn’t a worse quarterback situation in the league than the one in Atlanta. Redman, D.J. Shockley, and Lang Campbell are competing behind Joey Harrington for the primary backup position.

And a bad QB situation turns to dreadful. Shockley, a hometown hero from UGA who was battling Chris Redman for the backup job, damaged his MCL and must wait for the swelling to subside before having surgery. Shockley wasn’t expected to play much this year, but was the only QB on Atlanta’s roster with any promise. Casey Bramlet moves up into the third-string role.

Shockley, who had the most long-term potential of any Falcons quarterback, could have gotten extended playing time in the mess that is the QB situation in Atlanta. Depending on the team’s off-season moves, Shockley could compete for a backup job in 2008.

Shockley was outplayed by rookie John Parker Wilson this preseason. He is still eligible to be on the Falcons’ practice squad, but he will likely try to land a gig on another 53-man roster.

Shockley lost out to undrafted free agent J.P. Wilson for Atlanta’s No. 3 quarterback job, but could get called up if one of the Falcons’ QBs goes down in-season. Walker was a late-round pick this year; James was in 2008.

He looked better than any backup QB has this preseason. D.J. Shockley and undrafted rookie John Parker Wilson are battling for the No. 3 job.