Arizona Cardinals holding final practice before Oakland Raiders game

Nkemdiche cracks first team, helmet

He’s been getting compliments from coach Bruce Arians almost every other day and now, Cardinals defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche is getting rewarded with a field promotion.

The second-year pro, whose rookie season was more like a blur because of injuries and inconsistency, is officially practicing with the first-team defense.

Nkemdiche has been getting regular rotation work there the past two days and is expected to see time with the starters during Saturday night’s preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at University of Phoenix Stadium.

“You work hard to get better and keep progressing, so that’s the main goal,” Nkemdiche said Thursday. “I’m happy about it, but I’m going to keep working hard.”

Asked if practicing with the first stringers is a boost to his confidence, he said, “Yeah, of course. It’s one thing to believe in yourself, but it’s another when people who have been around this game believe in you also. That’s another thing.”

The first-team offense isn’t the only think Nkemdiche has cracked. His football helmet is a disaster. It’s covered with gouges, cuts and rips. And yes, there are a handful of dangerous-looking cracks running through it.

“Hey, I’m aggressive, man,” Nkemdiche said, smiling.

Yeah, but it looks like it’s been in a car accident.

“I know. I know,” Nkemdiche said. “I really should be using my hands more but sometimes I like to head butt, you know what I mean?”

Asked if he planned on asking for a new helmet in time for Saturday’s game, Nkemdiche shook his head.

“No, man,” he said. “I want to keep that energy in it and just go ball.”

Wetzel steps up

With starting left tackle D.J. Humphries nursing a sore hamstring all week, backup John Wetzel has been practicing with the first-team offense and probably will be in the starting lineup Saturday against the Raiders.

Arians said Humphries is “iffy,” adding, “It’ll go to the wire and if it’s even close, I’ll hold him (out).”

Wetzel, the team’s second-year pro out of Boston College, has been getting reps at both tackle positions since the start of training camp. He said practicing against the first-team defense is helping him get better every single day.

“This is giving me a good feel for what I’d see in a regular-season game as opposed to what I’ll see throughout the preseason, so it’s good to get that right now,” Wetzel said. “It’s been going good. I just need to work more on the technique because I’ve been swinging around to both sides. There are certain things at left tackle that I do better at right, but that’s what I’m using training camp for. I’m trying to make sure I’m just as good on both sides in all aspects.”

Palmer nearing 300

With just 15 touchdown passes this season, quarterback Carson Palmer will reach the 300 milestone and with it, pass or tie three Hall of Famers in Johnny Unitas (290), Warren Moon (291) and John Elway (300). Palmer has 285 career TD throws.

Asked about passing those greats, Palmer was a little at a loss for words.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m honored to have played as long as I have and had the opportunities I’ve had. Those are three guys that – not so much with Unitas just because of my time – but the other guys I loved watching play and am a fan of all three of them, obviously. So it would be a great honor to get past those guys.”

Star of camp?

Normally, it’s a rookie or a new addition that catches the eyes of observers in Cardinals’ camp. According to Palmer, though, there’s no reason why a trusted veteran shouldn’t hold the mantel as the player who’s performed better than just about anyone.

And in Palmer’s opinion, that player so far has been cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is entering his seventh NFL season. According to Palmer, “It’s the best camp I’ve ever seen him have.”

Asked for specifics, Palmer said, “Just performance. It’s the best I’ve seen him, there’s no doubt. I told him that the other day. I think it’s his seventh year and like a fine wine he’s aged well in those seven years. He’s just had great practice after great practice. He’s contested every single ball. Not that he’s broken up every single pass, but he is right on top of it. He’s just looked really, really good.”

Arians said he agrees with Palmer’s assessment and added his own compliment.

“He wants to be the greatest,” Arians said of Peterson, “and he has a chance to be.”

Camping out

Camp confidential: Becoming better tacklers has been a priority for the Cardinals this off-season, and they’ve turned to technology to help them in the quest.

The Cardinals used mobile tackling dummies this week for the first time after ordering some several months ago. The order arrived late, which is why the dummies debuted three weeks into camp. “Glad they’re finally here, three months late,” coach Bruce Arians said.

As for tackling, Arians liked what he saw in last Thursday’s game against the Cowboys “other than a couple times where we dropped our head and the guy jumped over us.”…

Kickoff concerns

Coaches haven’t determined yet who will kick off.

Kicker Phil Dawson wants to do it, and punters Richie Leone and Matt Wile handled the duties in the first preseason game. Leone and Wile, however, haven’t punted particularly well at camp so it’s not a given them will make the team.

“We’ll see how it all shakes out,” Dawson said. “I’ll fully support the coaches’ decision.”

Dawson had only four touchbacks last season with the 49ers, but that was a function of strategy, he said. Coaches asked him to place the ball and allow his teammates to cover.

It worked. The 49ers yielded 19.8 yards per kickoff return, 5th best in the NFL.

‘But, Ironhead…’

Safety Ironhead Gallon has been among the most impressive rookie free agents signed this year. Gallon still faces an uphill struggle to make the 53-man roster, but the practice squad is a real possibility.

“The knee injury ( in camp) set him back but he’s really bright and tough,” Arians said. “He’s a little bit one-legged out there right now, but he is finding a niche for himself. He could have a future.”

Gallon’s actual first name is “Deshawntee,” and as a kid was given the nickname by his father, who was a fan of former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead Heyward.

Arians was an assistant with the Colts when the original Ironhead was there in 1998.

“It’s a lot smaller Ironhead,” Arians said, referring to the 5-feet-10-inches and 202 pound Gallon.

Injury report: CB Rudy Ford (hamstring) won’t play Saturday against the Raiders. LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring), WR Chad Williams (shin splints) and WR John Brown (quadriceps) are questionable at best. Arians said he would err on the side of caution in deciding if they would play or not.

Quote: “My mindset about preseason is it’s a process. You want to make every kick. That’s my plan, but the goal is be ready week one in September. A game in preseason is just another day to get better, improve and get ready so that when they really count, you’re ready to roll.”

–Kicker Phil Dawson

Up next: The Cardinals walk-through today is closed. Saturday’s preseason game against the Raiders kicks off at 7 p.m. The next scheduled open practice is Monday, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Reach McManaman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Wednesday night between 7-9 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.