Quarterback Logan Thomas (6) comes out after his one play filling in for Ryan Lindley (14) during Sunday night's game against the Seahawks.

Logan Thomas looks like he'll get his first NFL start at quarterback.

Coach Bruce Arians reserved the right to alter his thinking as the week goes on, but Monday he said he was "leaning to" giving the rookie out of Virginia Tech the start over Ryan Lindley in the season finale at San Francisco while Drew Stanton continues to heal from his knee injury.

The thing that could derail it would be a shaky week of practice for Thomas, Arians said. There will be a "quick hook" for Thomas even in the game if he plays – the Cardinals know they still have a chance to win the NFC West. "I think we need to find out what he can do for the future and the playoffs, if it would

come to that," Arians said. "It's my job to cover every base.

"In no way is it a reflection of the way Ryan played. It's a chance for Logan to show he could do something."

The Cardinals' offense did not do well with Lindley at the helm, however. Lindley completed 18-of-44 passes for 216 yards and an interception. Most of the night, his passes were off the mark. The Cardinals have just two touchdowns total in their past five games.

Arians said he would not hesitate to pull Thomas and put Lindley back in the lineup if things do not go well.

"I do trust Ryan," Arians said. "I think he proved the stadium wasn't too big for him. He just missed some throws."

It wasn't nerves that got Lindley, Arians said, but "a matter of finding the open guy and being accurate."

Thomas got into one play against the Seahawks, part of his package set up during the week. He went to throw a deep pass to John Brown, but the ball was short because Thomas was hit on the play.

"I wasn't sure (how I'd be used)," Thomas said after the Seahawks game. "I just knew what I had (practiced) and if he called my name I was going to be ready to go."

Arians needs to see more practice. Asked if Thomas could struggle in practice this week enough to make him change his mind and stick with Lindley as starter, Arians replied "that's the first hook."

Combining his brief stint in Denver earlier in the season, Thomas has completed 1 of 9 passes, although the connection went for 81 yards and a touchdown.

"He has obviously some mobility, he's got a very strong arm," Arians said. "The few times he's had an opportunity … Denver wasn't quite fair because he got no (practice) snaps. I want to see him with a full week of practice and getting the reps."

Stanton will practice some this week, but he probably will not be ready to return. His right knee swelled some last week after his Thursday practice, and while the swelling quickly went down, Arians said, the team doesn't want to risk anything.

"I have high optimism because he wants to be ready," Arians said of Stanton. "Had he not had that minor setback last week, he might've tried to play in that one. There's no way I play him this week unless we have to."