Free agent Michael Turner was fined $1,000 and sentenced to 12 months probation as a result of his September DUI.

Turner was arrested and charged with DUI after a Gwinnett County officer clocked him driving 97 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. The 31-year-old had the DUI charge dropped, and he pleaded guilty to reckless driving. Turner says that he plans to play in 2013, but he has generated zero interest since his release.

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 my not come until training camp.

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." Teams will disagree.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.