"It has been a week since Ken Whisenhunt benched quarterback Matt Leinart, prompting the same questions to spin like the seams of a football thrown far downfield. What do the Cardinals do with Leinart? Keep him as a backup? Try to trade him? Release him by Saturday, when teams have to trim rosters from 75 to 53?

The Cardinals are considering all three options, according to NFL sources, who confirmed a Foxsports.com report that the Cardinals have called other clubs to gauge trade interest in Leinart. The Cardinals might provide a hint of their intentions Thursday night in Glendale when they play the Washington Redskins in the final preseason game. If Leinart doesn't play, that could indicate a trade is still possible, because the Cardinals wouldn't want Leinart to suffer an injury that would prevent a swap.

"Rumors run rampant, and I have nothing to add to that," Whisenhunt said. "There is a lot of speculation by a number of different people. As far as where we are, nothing has changed."

Whisenhunt said he plans to play Leinart against the Redskins.

Leinart isn't the only Cardinals player involved in trade talks. Sources said the team also is willing to trade right guard Reggie Wells, who has started throughout the preseason. The Cardinals are deep at the position, and Deuce Lutui is pushing Wells for the starting job.

Trading Leinart and Wells won't be easy at this time of year. Leinart's value likely was diminished by his benching, and teams are reluctant to trade for someone who is due to make nearly $7.5 million in salary in 2011 and who might be released anyway. It's unknown what the Cardinals are seeking for Leinart, but they might be open to receiving a veteran quarterback."