Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, said he asked the Arizona Cardinals to release James about two weeks ago so he could play for another team.

The Cardinals so far have declined, Rosenhaus said. Rod Graves, the Cardinals' general manager, did not respond immediately for comment.

"It's a tough deal," Rosenhaus said. "He's a good man. He's not interested in disrupting team chemistry.

"I hope the Cardinals will take another look at this. It's a huge insult for him to be standing around like this."

James was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Tim Hightower Nov. 2 against St. Louis — a game in which James didn't play at all and Hightower ran for 109 yards and a touchdown in a 34-13 victory.

In the past two games, at home vs. San Francisco and at Seattle, James carried just three times for 5 yards and was getting less playing time than J.J. Arrington (Hightower had only 57 yards on 24 carries during those two games).

"He's basically relegated to third string," Rosenhaus said. "That's their decision. We have to respect that, but we'd like the opportunity to go someplace where he can contribute and not stand on the sideline.

"They've not expressed an interest in doing that."

Rosenhaus pointed to James' 1,000-yard seasons as the feature back for the Cardinals in 2007 and 2006 and said the running back doesn't understand why he's been demoted.

"He's kind of wasting away in his prime. There's no reason not to be playing. ... It's unfortunate. There are other teams who could use him."

James came into this season ranked No. 13 all time in yards rushing, and could have moved into the top 10 — and closer to the Hall of Fame — with another 1,000-yard season. Instead, he has just 385 yards so far (at 3.5 yards per carry) and is still stuck at No. 13 with 11,992 yards, 82 behind No. 12 Thurman Thomas.

"This isn't about the Hall of Fame or statistics," Rosenhaus said. "This is about a player who is healthy, is in great shape, is productive, and he's not playing.

"It's surprising and disappointing given how he's contributed to this team. If he's not going to be playing, we'd love for him to get a chance to go someplace else."

James has one more year to go on his contract — his salary is $5 million next year — but he'll likely be released after this season.

Regardless of what happens, James will not be a distraction, Rosenhaus said. "We're not interested in making this a spectacle, but it got out. ... We're not going to run from the truth. The truth is he's asked for his release."