ATLANTA -- D.J. Shockley is ready to get back in action for the Atlanta Falcons.

Shockley, a former starter at Georgia, had a chance to win the job as the Falcons' top backup quarterback last summer. Then, in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Buffalo, Shockley slipped and wound up with a season-ending injury to his left knee.

Shockley's lost chance to win the No. 2 job behind Joey Harrington to open the 2007 season only grew more painful when Harrington couldn't keep the starting job. The Falcons also tried Byron Leftwich and Chris Redman as the starters, and Shockley knows he could have had a chance to start.

The Falcons selected Matt Ryan with the No. 3 overall draft pick in April. That could leave Shockley and Harrington competing for the No. 3 spot.

New Falcons coach Mike Smith said he will wait until later in the week to announce his quarterback rotation for Saturday night's preseason opener at Jacksonville.

Shockley has a strong throwing arm, but at Georgia he was best known as a threat to run. Shockley was never compared with Vick as a running quarterback, but even after his second major knee surgery, his ability to run may give him the edge to win a roster spot.