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.