ESPN NFL

John Parker Wilson is the Atlanta Falcons’ third quarterback after all.

A day after waiving Wilson, the Falcons announced he has been signed to their practice squad. Starter Matt Ryan and backup Chris Redman are the only two quarterbacks on the active roster. Wilson served as the team’s No. 3 quarterback last season, but a change in rules allowing 46 active players on game days this season has prompted more teams to keep only two quarterbacks on the regular roster.

Also signed to Atlanta’s practice squad were safety Rafael Bush, receiver Kevin Cone, receiver Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, linebacker Robert James and tackle Jose Valdez. The Falcons still have one unfilled spot on the practice squad.

The Atlanta Falcons were the first NFC South team to officially announce their roster moves to get down to 53 players.

They released center Brett Romberg and waived safety Rafael Bush, wide receiver Kevin Cone, wide receiver Drew Davis, guard Andrew Jackson, linebacker Robert James, defense end Emmanuel Stephens, tackle Jose Valdez and quarterback John Parker Wilson. The Falcons reached an injury settlement with tight end Ryan Winterswyk.

I’ll be back in a bit with an analysis of Atlanta’s roster.

The Atlanta Falcons just announced they have signed seven players to future contracts for the 2011 season. All seven spent at least some time on the practice squad during the 2010 season.

Those players are tight end Marquez Branson, center Rob Bruggeman, receiver Tim Buckley, receiver Brandyn Harvey, defensive end Emmanuel Stephens, receiver Andy Strickland and guard Jose Valdez. Buckley, Stephens, Strickland, Bruggeman and Valdez each spent the entire season on the practice squad.

Branson joined the practice squad in late October and Harvey was added in the last week of the regular season.

The Falcons just announced their eight-man practice squad and you’re going to recognize a lot of the names if you followed Atlanta through training camp and the preseason.

The list includes tight end Robbie Agnone, receiver Tim Buckley, running back Dimitri Nance, receiver Andy Strickland, offensive tackle Jose Valdez, safety Rafael Bush, defensive end Emmanuel Stephens and linebacker Bear Woods.

Buckley, Nance, Bush, Stephens and Wood all were signed as rookie free agents and were cut near the end of the preseason. Strickland spent part of last season on the practice squad and Agnone was signed by Atlanta just before camp started.

The Falcons already started moving toward the 2010 season Monday, as they signed eight players to futures contracts.

The list was highlighted by former University of Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockely, who previously has spent time on the regular roster and practice squad.

Center Rob Bruggerman, receiver James Swinton, receiver Andy Strickland, center Blake Schlueter, defensive end Maurice Lucas, running back Antone Smith and guard Jose Valdez also were signed. Lucas and Valdez spent all of the 2009 season on the Atlanta practice squad.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas

D.J. Shockley is back with the Atlanta Falcons, a day after he was released.

The quarterback was one of eight players signed to the practice squad Sunday, the Falcons announced. In addition to Shockley, the Falcons also signed receiver Troy Bergeron, offensive lineman Michael Butterworth, linebacker Robert James, defensive end Maurice Lucas, cornerback Glenn Sharpe, guard Jose Valdez and defensive tackle Vance Walker were signed to the practice squad.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The Falcons have announced their cuts as they got down 53 players.

The following were released: wide receiver Troy Bergeron, running back Thomas Brown, offensive lineman Michael Butterworth, wide receiver Robert Ferguson, linebacker Robert James, wide receiver Aaron Kelly, defensive end Maurice Lucas, cornerback William Middleton, tight end Jason Rader, quarterback D.J. Shockley, offensive guard Jose Valdez, defensive tackle Vance Walker and linebacker Jamie Winborn.

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The Falcons just sent out their official list of the undrafted rookies they have signed. They added 10 players, highlighted by Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson.

The rest of the list includes San Diego state receiver Darren Mougey, Clemson receiver Aaron Kelly, Colorado defensive end Maurice Lucas, Auburn long snapper Robert Shiver, West Virginia offensive lineman Ryan Stanchek, Arkansas offensive lineman Jose Valdez, Florida State linebacker Derek Nicholson, Northern Arizona punter/kicker Robbie Dehaze and Missouri linebacker Brock Christopher.