Thursday’s game against the Titans in Nashville was supposed to be John Skelton’s moment in the sun. Instead, Kevin Kolb threw more than twice as many passes, neither player excelled and the Cardinals quarterback battle turned cloudy again.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said after the club’s previous preseason game against Oakland that he wanted to get Skelton more snaps this week. Skelton took only five against the Raiders -- one a kneel-down -- completing all three passes, including a touchdown to fullback Anthony Sherman.

Skelton did get the start in Nashville, but he completed just 4 of 10 passes for 41 yards and an interception into triple coverage on which he overthrew his receiver -- a common problem for him at training camp this year.

Skelton’s struggles in a 32-27 loss looked less concerning when Kolb was sacked on his first play and was forced to throw his second pass away because left tackle D.J. Young, the fill-in for injured starter Levi Brown (triceps surgery), was wholly overmatched by Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley.

When Kolb tossed an ugly interception on a rollout, his fate seemed sealed. Then he led the Cards on an 86-yard touchdown drive out of the no-huddle offense late in the half, completing three passes to receiver Larry Fitzgerald for 72 yards.

Then he threw another interception on his first throw of the second half before leading a field-goal drive to finish his night.

Down. Up. Down. Up.

"I am going to have to look at the tape, look at the reads where the protection broke down and look at what the quarterbacks were looking at as far as that evaluation," Whisenhunt said.

For the preseason, Kolb is 22 of 37 for 203 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Skelton is 14 of 25 for 131 yards with a touchdown and two picks. Neither player has claimed the job.

So what do you do if you’re Whisenhunt? Do you think about making your starting offense take the field for preseason Game No. 5 against the Broncos? It’s unconventional and rare, but what does the Cardinals coach have to lose by evaluating this most important position for another week?

If he doesn’t find a solution, there is one thing he could lose: his job.

Wells returns: Beanie Wells was back in the lineup after starting training camp on the active PUP list following offseason knee surgery. The numbers weren’t notable against the Titans -- 6 carries for 12 yards behind an offensive line that couldn’t get much right.

What was notable is that Wells ran hard, didn’t have any setbacks and seemed to have his burst. Wells said a couple weeks ago at camp that the only thing holding him back from becoming the power back he wants to be has been his health. Given the quarterback struggles, the Cards could certainly use Wells in tandem with running back Ryan Williams.

Three who improved their stock

1. RB William Powell: He had seven carries for 71 yards and is the leading NFL rusher in the preseason, for what that’s worth. It could be worth a roster spot ahead of Alfonso Smith.

2. ILB Reggie Walker: Starting in place of Daryl Washington, who was absent due to a death in the family, Walker had six tackles and continues to elevate his game beyond a simple backup role.

3. RT Bobby Massie: With the Cardinals’ tackle options limited following a season-threatening injury to Levi Brown, Massie made a strong case for the starting right tackle slot if the Cards opt to shift veteran Jeremy Bridges to the left side. The guess here is that’s how it will shake out -- or at least that’s how we think it should shake out.

Three who hurt their stock

1. QB John Skelton: With a chance to solidify his hold on the starting QB spot, Skelton turned in a subpar performance, completing 4 of 10 passes for 41 yards and an interception. He was hurt by two drops, but he also threw into triple coverage on the interception and fired high and hard on what needed to be a touch pass to rookie receiver Michael Floyd. Floyd couldn’t handle the offering.

2. LT D.J. Young: Whisenhunt wanted to give the 2011 practice-squad player a chance to replace Brown on the left side. Young was clearly not ready. He was beaten badly on his first two plays and never looked comfortable. The guess here is that his audition is over.

3. ILB Quan Sturdivant: Sturdivant is the lone member of the 2011 draft class (sixth round) who hasn’t made an impression. He had one tackle Thursday and is likely to be cut when the club trims the roster.

Sitting out: OLB O’Brien Schofield (knee), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring), FB Jared Crank (neck), TE Rob Housler (hamstring), LB Washington (death in family), CB Greg Toler (knee), S Rashad Johnson (abdomen).

What's next: The Cardinals conclude the preseason by hosting the Denver Broncos Thursday at 8 p.m. at University of Phoenix Stadium.

For more news and analysis from Cardinals blogger Craig Morgan, follow @CBSSportsNFLARI on Twitter.