The Arizona Cardinals will gain significant cap space once Daryl Washington's suspension is processed.

The Cardinals had $11.939 million in cap space as of Tuesday. That number will change slightly with the signing of linebacker Ernie Sims. Arizona had $9.039 million in cap space after June 1, when former guard Daryn Colledge's cap numbers were factored into the Cards' cap room.

Arizona's current cap space also includes Washington's $2.9 million cap number, which brought the Cardinals to just shy of $12 million.

The Arizona Cardinals seem prepared to challenge Daryl Washington's right to some of the $10 million option bonus they recently activated.

Washington has been suspended for the 2014 season for another violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

A source within the organization told ESPN that none of that money has actually been paid to Washington and conceded that one of the reasons the team won't consider releasing him is because it might no longer be entitled to keep a portion of that money.

Washington's suspension will cost the Cardinals linebacker $6.5 million between now and December in forfeited bonus and salary.

He was suspended for four games last season as well.