Agent Drew Rosenhaus tells John Clayton of ESPN.com that running back Edgerrin James has asked the Cardinals to release him, and that the team has declined.

The story was first reported by a media outlet that Clayton and/or his editors have gone out of their way to avoid acknowledging, first attributing the story to “Internet reports” (what is this, 2001?) and then in an updated version vaguely crediting “news reports.”

“Edgerrin isn’t trying to cause any problems,” Rosenhaus said.  “He has had a Hall of Fame career and he has enjoyed his stay in Arizona.  But it’s apparent that he’s probably not going to be back with the Cardinals next season.  If that’s the case, he can move and help another team and get a start now.”

The problem is that, because the trade deadline has passed, James would be exposed to the waivers process, which could result in James being claimed by the Lions or the Bengals or the Chiefs. 

Any team that would claim James would need to have sufficient cap space to account for his prorated $5 million salary.

Still, none of that matters since it appears very unlikely at this point that the Cardinals would cut James.