Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill visits Wildcats football practice

Quick hitters from Arizona Wildcats’ training-camp practice in Tempe on Thursday morning, the second of three at the Arizona Cardinals’ facility:

* Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill, who helped facilitate the Wildcats’ excursion to Tempe, talked to UA coach Rich Rodriguez and athletic director Greg Byrne before and during practice. Rodriguez and Byrne presented Bidwill with a framed UA jersey featuring his last name and the No. 1 on the back.

* Freshman quarterback Khalil Tate joined the growing group of players forced to work on the side because of undisclosed injuries. The others: offensive lineman Christian Boettcher, receiver Tony Ellison, freshman safety Gavin Robertson and freshman defensive end Francisco Nelson. It’s not unusual for injuries to start accumulating at this point in camp.

* Rodriguez acknowledged that Tate is "a little banged up" right now and that his head is still “spinning” as he learns the offense.

* Arizona QB Anu Solomon said he should have phrased things differently last week when he said he wished he had fought through two concussions. I’ll have more on this later today.

* Rodriguez said it's unlikely at this point that freshman tailback J.J. Taylor will redshirt. He has impressed so far with his quick feet, burst and elusiveness in the open field.

* Rodriguez also spent time chatting with Shaun Aguano, who coached center Zach Hemmila at Chandler High. Hemmila passed away earlier this week.

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* Many more parents and family members attended this morning’s practice compared to Wednesday’s. They included three members of tight end Trevor Wood’s family: dad Dave, mom Jan and brother Carter. Dave, who’s recovering from a severe form of cancer, is doing well, the family reports. Carter played center for the UA.

* Another former UA center, Steven Gurrola, attended practice and hung out with some of his ex-teammates.

* Nathan Eldridge and Levi Walton got the most reps at center during the open period of practice. Eldridge is a redshirt freshman, Walton a redshirt sophomore.

* Josh Pollack made all four of his field-goal attempts, from varying distances, during the open period. Edgar Gastelum, who’s competing for the placekicker job, made 3 of 4. Rodriguez said Pollack is the leader at this point in the kicking battle, but there's still a long way to go. The coaches will come up with ways to test the kickers under pressure in future practices. Don’t be surprised if newcomer Gastelum becomes the kickoff specialist.

* More signs of hospitality here: In addition to painting “Arizona” in the end zone, the Cardinals re-did the hash marks using college regulations.

* The Wildcats worked out in shorts outside after practicing in full pads for the first time Wednesday afternoon. It rained toward the end of the practice. The team is scheduled for another practice this afternoon before returning to Tucson to attend the viewing of Hemmila’s body. The viewing is from 4-7 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church (1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo) and is open to the public.