Three years have passed since the Cardinals decision-makers have talked to Daryl Washington. Such is the rules of a suspended player, who in that situation is not allowed to have contact with his team. So, while there has been a conditional reinstatement of the linebacker, no, he is not at the facility working out. The next step, already anticipated and now publicly confirmed by General Manager Steve Keim, is a discussion first.

During an interview with Adam Schein on Sirius XM radio, Keim was asked about Washington.

"To be quite honest with you, we have had dialogue with his agent, but have not have had a chance to talk with Daryl yet, just because of how busy we have been," Keim said. "We will attend to that in the near future and obviously get a chance to talk to Daryl and see what is going on."

There are a lot of things that would figure to have to be ironed out with Washington -- his contract, his physical shape, his mental shape for football, among others -- and that can't be determined without a conversation.

"There will be a sit-down with Michael Bidwill, our president and owner, and myself and Coach Arians, and again, more than anything, an educational briefing on 'Just where have you been the last three years, what's going on in your life?' " Keim said. "Once that meeting occurs, there will be a decision made (about Washington's future with the team).

"It's been three years, and the way the system is set up right now, there is a lot of unknown."