The Falcons released 13 players Saturday at the 53-man roster deadline.

Backup QB D.J. Shockley, a fan favorite who played at Georgia in college, was cut, ending his run with the team after three seasons. Undrafted rookie John Parker Wilson beat Shockley in the competition to become the team's third quarterback behind Matt Ryan and Chris Redman.

“Today is never an easy day for anyone in the organization,” said Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff in a statement. “That said however, we are pleased with our roster heading into the 2009 campaign. Our staff did a fine job of evaluating the entire team throughout the offseason."

Atlanta also released WR Troy Bergeron, RB Thomas Brown, OL Michael Butterworth, WR Robert Ferguson, LB Robert James, WR Aaron Kelly, DE Maurice Lucas, CB William Middleton, TE Jason Rader, OG Jose Valdez, DT Vance Walker and LB Jamie Winborn.