TEMPE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner will be the Arizona Cardinals' starting quarterback tomorrow night in their preseason finale against Denver, but coach Ken Whisenhunt says no decision has been made yet about who will start the opener at San Francisco.

Warner has been battling Matt Leinart for the starting job.

"We all want to know," Warner said after practice yesterday in a story posted on the Cardinals' Web site. "For Matt and myself, it'd be nice knowing what the situation would be and be able to move forward with it. The way I look at it more than anything, the sooner it can happen, the sooner we can get past the (interviews and media coverage) that goes with it and you can prepare for the game.

"We know it's getting close and you get that anxiety and excitement knowing the decision has to be made soon. I am sure coach understands that and he'll make the decision as soon as it's necessary."

Arizona (2-1) is coming off a 24-0 win at Oakland last Saturday night despite Leinart throwing three interceptions in less than two quarters.

Whisenhunt said Warner is starting against the Broncos (1-2) because of the difference in playing time in the preseason.

So far, Leinart has taken 57 snaps with starts against New Orleans and Oakland. Warner sat out the preseason opener against New Orleans and started against Kansas City and has taken 30 snaps.

"Hopefully we'll get in enough snaps with the first (offensive) line that both can play," Whisenhunt said. "I just wanted to make sure Kurt gets his timing with the ones for this game, much like we did in Kansas City."

CHARGERS

MERRIMAN TO PLAY WITH TORN KNEE LIGAMENTS

The surgeon's knife can wait. Shawne Merriman is going to play football, two torn knee ligaments and all.

A day after visiting a fourth doctor, the San Diego Chargers' star outside linebacker decided yesterday to play this season rather than have his damaged left knee repaired now.

"To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football," Merriman said. "That's what it comes down to. I know what's on the table, I know what's on the line. I put a lot of work in this and I want to play."

Merriman said late last week that he has tears in both the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee, which he hurt in a game at Tennessee in December. He spent several days seeking outside opinions. He returned Tuesday after seeing a doctor in Miami.

Merriman said all four doctors he saw said he needed surgery, but there "just wasn't a time frame on that. My knee still looks pretty good. The decision was left up to me to play. If you give a football player a decision to play, you know, I'm going to play."

49ERS

LELIE MAKES PRESEASON DEBUT AGAINST CHARGERS

Just when J.T. O'Sullivan could use some extra work with the San Francisco 49ers' starting receivers, he's probably going to spend most of his final preseason game on the bench while the Niners figure out just who those starters will be.

O'Sullivan is unlikely to play much when the 49ers host the San Diego Chargers tomorrow night, with coach Mike Nolan preferring to rest his new starting quarterback for the regular season. At least O'Sullivan will be joined in his brief work by receivers Bryant Johnson and Ashley Lelie, who will make their preseason debuts at Candlestick Park.

"It's going to be exciting to see those guys get in there and make plays," O'Sullivan said yesterday. "Obviously (Lelie has) been out of practice every day, so this is a good start. We're starting to get something going there, so it's going to be exciting to see him play."

Lelie, a Hawai'i alum who missed most of training camp with a torn calf muscle, is on the bubble for a roster spot with the 49ers, while Johnson must fend off the excellent play of rookie Josh Morgan to keep a starting job in his first season with San Francisco. Johnson returned to practice Tuesday after missing three weeks with a hamstring injury.

JAGUARS

TOP PICK HARVEY ENDS HOLDOUT; SIGNS FOR $23M

Defensive end Derrick Harvey ended a 33-day holdout yesterday by signing a five-year, $23.8 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Harvey was the last first-round draft pick to sign, a lengthy holdout that frustrated coach Jack Del Rio and left the former Florida standout behind in preparation for the regular season.

The eighth overall selection in April, Harvey was expected to bolster a pass rush that struggled to pressure quarterbacks last season. But he missed all of training camp and the first three preseason games.

Harvey's deal included a little more than $17 million guaranteed and could pay him as much as $33.4 million with incentives and escalators.

ELSEWHERE

Chiefs: Kicker Jay Feely has been cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, a day after signing a one-year deal.

Feely was an eight-year veteran who kicked for Miami last season. He was brought in to challenge Connor Barth and Nick Novak for the starting job.