Edgerrin James has lost job to Tim Hightower.

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TEMPE — Three days before the defending Super Bowl champions come to town, the Cardinals found themselves talking about Edgerrin James, who wants out of town.

No longer a significant part of Arizona's offense, James has asked for his release, a request the club has denied.

Now the question is whether the stir over James' request will affect the Cardinals as they race toward their first division title since they moved to the desert in 1988.

On Sunday, Arizona plays host to the Giants on the same field where the Giants won the Super Bowl in February. But the first four questions fired at Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt after Thursday's practice had to do with James, who has carried three times for 5 yards since being replaced by rookie Tim Hightower three weeks ago.

"Edgerrin, I'm sure, is unhappy," Whisenhunt said. "I understand that. But that happens a lot in the NFL. Shoot, that happens a lot in life.

"You know, the mark of being a professional is continuing to work — and we expect Edgerrin to be a professional," Whisenhunt said. "And I think that's only reasonable based on the significant investment and financial obligation that we've made to Edgerrin."

Arizona general manager Rod Graves reiterated Thursday that the club has no plans to release James. James, 30, has one year left on a four-year, $30 million deal, but it is widely thought this will be his last year in Arizona.

James worked out with the team on Thursday and flashed his usual smile when reporters approached him after practice.

"I'm just practicing and working and doing what I'm supposed to do," James said, declining to answer further questions.

James' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said James wants to go where he can play. James has topped 1,000 yards each of the past five seasons. He ranks first among active players and 13th overall with 11,992 yards gained.

BEREA, Ohio — Brady Quinn got his first NFL win as a starter almost single-handedly.

Quinn broke his right index finger during the first half of Monday night's game against the Bills, but Cleveland's new starting quarterback stayed in and led the Browns to a 29-27 victory.

Despite the injury, Quinn will try to play Sunday when the Browns host the Houston Texans.

"At this point, it's just a little sore," he said before practice Thursday. "Just doing the best we can to take all the precautions to make sure it's all right."

Quinn did not seem to be bothered by the finger while throwing during the 30-minute segment of practice open to the media. He did not favor the finger while taking snaps and fired a few tight spirals while working out in the team's indoor practice facility. Later, the team's injury report said Quinn participated in the full practice.

● Cowboys rookie running back Felix Jones is done for the season. The team said Thursday that Jones will be placed on injured reserve because of a n injury to his big left toe sustained while doing rehabilitation after hurting his left hamstring Oct. 12.

● Giants receiver Plaxico Burress missed practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury. Coach Tom Coughlin was short in discussing Burress' injury, saying time would tell whether Burress plays Sunday against the Cardinals in Arizona.