The Atlanta Falcons had Sean Weatherspoon back at practice on Wednesday, the first time he has done so in three weeks.

Weatherspoon, who has been out with a sprained right ankle, is the Falcons' beat three-down linebacker.

Michael Turner has appeared slow and ineffective this season for the Atlanta Falcons.

Mike Smith became defensive on Monday when asked if Turner was being phased out in order to give more carries to Jacquizz Rodgers.

"No, it doesn’t,’’ Smith said. “Guys, again, I think we’ve been very transparent from the very beginning. I’ve been saying this since April that you’re not going to look up at the end of the season and see Michael Turner having 300 carries. That’s not the type of football team we are. We may have been that type of team when we first got here, but we’re a completely different football team and I think our statistics and our ratios define that. We’re going to be an offense that we are going to move the ball around to our different assets and we’ve got a lot of assets. Michael Turner is an asset as well as Jacquizz Rodgers and as well as Jason Snelling in our backfield.’’

The Atlanta Falcons released defensive end Ray Edwards on Monday.

Edwards was signed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract last year. This season, he was scheduled to earn $3 million in base salary, with $2 million of that guaranteed. 

Edwards never produced the way the Falcons had hoped.

The Atlanta Falcons became the final team in the NFL to lose during the 2012 season, dropping a 31-27 decision to the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints had a +7.4 advantage in The Trench Counter, averaging twice as many yards per rush and 9.1 yards per pass. The Saints had a -2 deficit in Total Rushes/Completions.

Drew Brees went 21-for-32 for 298 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Jimmy Graham exploded for 146 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns.

Chris Ivory rushed seven times for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Yrany threw for 411 yards on 52 attempts with three touchdowns and one interception. Tony Gonzalez caught 11 balls for 122 yards and two touchdowns while Roddy White had 114 yards.

Michael Turner rushed for just 15 yards on 13 carries.

The Atlanta Falcons remained undefeated, beating the Dallas Cowboys 19-13.

The Falcons had a +8.8 advantage in The Trench Counter, outgaining the Cowboys in both passing and rushing while committing 35 fewer yards in penalties. The Falcons had a +7 edge in Total Rushes/Completions.

Matt Ryan went 24-for-34 for 342 yards, while Michael Turner rushed 20 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Tony Romo went 25-for-35 for 321 yards and a touchdown without committing a turnover.