Orchard Park, N.Y. ? Running back Willis McGahee has asked the Buffalo Bills to trade him if he is not their starter on opening day.

McGahee’s request was not issued as an ultimatum, but the player made clear he won’t be happy playing backup to incumbent Travis Henry, a source close to McGahee told the Associated Press.

Bills official Scott Berchtold said, “There is no truth to that whatsoever.”

Team president Tom Donahoe later denied the report, too.

“There’s nothing to it,” said Donahoe, who was at Philadelphia’s preseason game against Baltimore on Friday night. “Willis is making progress and is very happy. We have no intention of trading him. We need them both.”

McGahee was not available for comment, as the Bills were off Friday in preparation for today’s preseason game against Tennessee. McGahee’s agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment.

Henry is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season while McGahee missed his entire rookie season recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

The former Miami back was considered a top-three pick before he was hurt in his final college game, the Hurricanes’ loss to Ohio State in the national championship, the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Rookie coach Mike Mularkey has said that both players can work together this season, but has maintained that Henry is his starter.

McGahee haad 13 carries for 58 yards, a 9-yard reception, and scored the go-ahead touchdown from the 1, in Buffalo’s 16-6 win over Denver last Sunday. McGahee also scored four touchdowns from within 2 yards, during a controlled scrimmage against Cleveland earlier this month.

Saints

New Orleans Saints linebacker Sedrick Hodge has been suspended for four games by the NFL for violating its substance abuse policy.

Hodge, a third-round draft selection by the Saints in 2001, was expected to start at strong-side linebacker this season. He will be unavailable for the first four games — Sept. 12 against Seattle, Sept. 19 against San Francisco, Sept. 26 at St. Louis and Oct. 3 at Arizona.

Hodge is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, but must leave the team Sept. 5.

The suspension will cost him four game checks of $36,941 each for a total loss of $147,764. The four-game suspension indicates that it is either a second or third violation of the league’s policy, both of which can carry a four-game suspension with loss of pay. The earliest he can be reinstated is Oct. 4.

Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals won their claim on linebacker Marcus Wilkins Friday and opened a roster spot by waiving offensive tackle Quinn Christensen.

Green Bay waived Wilkins on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Wilkins joined the Packers as a non-drafted free agent out of Texas in April 2002. He played in five games with Green Bay that season and seven last year.