CAMPING OUT

Camp confidential: Quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t practice on Thursday, meaning he will have participated in only one major practice in advance of Saturday’s preseason game against the Raiders. Palmer is expected to start that game. The Cardinals were off on Monday. Palmer participated in a full-pad practice on Tuesday, then off Wednesday and Thursday. Friday’s practice is expected to be a walk-through, in which quarterbacks do little throwing. Coaches are monitoring Palmer’s workload in this camp in hopes of keeping his right arm strong throughout the season. But his workload, at least as far as throwing footballs, is unusually low for an NFL starting quarterback. » Becoming better tacklers has been a priority for the Cardinals this offseason, 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.” 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 1 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 Friday 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.