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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Michael Turner rushed six times for 18 yards and a touchdown versus the Bucs in Week 17. Turner's playing time was down even more than normal with Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling liberally mixed in. He did find the end zone for the sixth time in the last seven games on a 17-yard touchdown, but managed just one yard on his other five carries. He finishes the regular season with 810 yards and 10 touchdowns on 222 carries (3.65 YPC). If the Falcons are going to succeed in the playoffs, Rodgers will have a bigger role than the slow-footed Turner.

Michael Turner has 13 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's Week 16 win over the Lions. Turner continues to struggle on a per-carry basis, but managed to keep his scoring streak alive and has now scored in six straight games. His value is entirely depending on his ability to convert goaline touches. The Falcons running game remains a concern going into the regular season finale. Turner's longest rush went for 22 yards. He added four catches for 16 yards.

Michael Turner is absent from the Falcons' Week 15 injury report.

Michael Turner played on just 20-of-65 offensive snaps in the Falcons' Week 14 loss to the Panthers. Turner rushed seven times for 14 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game, but once again salvaged his fantasy day with a 1-yard touchdown -- this one coming in garbage time. It's his fourth straight game with a score. Meanwhile, Jacquizz Rodgers played 30 snaps and Jason Snelling saw 15. The artist formerly known as The Burner, now averaging just 53.0 yards per game and 3.68 yards per carry, continues to be phased out. He'll be a poor fantasy option against the Giants in Week 15.