Budda Baker

Baker was reportedly good to go as of this morning, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Even in his 10th NFL season, Baker is still wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. He has four pass breakups, one pick, and 3.5 sacks this year. Inactive for the Cardinals are RB Jeremiyah Love, QB Carson Beck, DT Walter Nolen III, S Andrew Wingard, OL Jon Gaines, CB Max Melton, and OL Albert Reese.

Baker was listed as questionable for Week 7 after getting in a limited practice on Friday. He is good to go after making it through the weekend unscathed. Baker has one interception, four pass breakups, and a stunning 3.5 sacks this year.

Baker practiced in a limited capacity on Friday, and the veteran safety is no stranger to playing through injuries. The Cardinals ruled out DL Walter Nolen (ankle) and S Andrew Wingard (knee). Cardinals CB Garrett Williams (knee) has been cleared to play.

Baker played through the groin injury in Week 6 but starts out this week not practicing due to both the groin injury and an illness. Also not practicing for the Cardinals defense were DL Walter Nolen (ankle), S Andrew Wingard (knee), and CB Garrett Williams (knee). Each player will likely need to practice in some capacity in order to play in Week 7.

Baker and EDGE Zaven Collins (hip) were both added to the Cardinals’ injury report on Friday. Neither player practiced that day, but both are evidently good to go for this divisional showdown against the Rams (2-3). The Cardinals (1-4) are road underdogs, but this game should be a fantasy-friendly environment.

It was a pop-up DNP for Baker on Friday after he had initially been listed as NIR-Rest on Wednesday. Ominous. Baker stands a real chance at missing Sunday’s game and throwing the Cardinals defense into (checking notes) further chaos against the Rams.

Baker entered the league’s concussion protocol earlier this week after going down in Week 16’s game against the Falcons. The star safety will miss at least one game due to his brain injury, with backup safety Kitan Crawford looking like the next man up to fill his role. In addition to Baker, the Cardinals also ruled out LT Paris Johnson (knee), and CB Kei’Tre Clark (knee) for Week 17.

Baker was evaluated for a brain injury in Week 16 against the Falcons but re-entered the game, only to report concussion-like symptoms on Wednesday. Baker is likely to sit out this week against the Bengals, creating an even better matchup for Joe Burrow and the Bengals pass catchers.

Baker remained down after making a tackle and took a minute to make his way to the sideline. After meeting with the training staff on the sideline, he jogged to the locker room for the concussion evaluation. After a short time, he was able to return to the game.

Baker was limited through most of the week in practice but will suit up against Seattle after practicing in full on Friday. Cardinals declared OT Josh Fryar, OT Demontrey Jacobs, CB Will Johnson, CB Max Melton, DT Bilal Nichols, WR Xavier Weaver, and LB Mack Wilson inactive against the Seahawks.

The Cardinals sign Baker for $18 million per year, the third largest among safeties in NFL history. The $54 million total includes $30 million guaranteed over three years for the 28-year-old. Baker is a two-time first-team All-Pro, one-time second-team All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler initially drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been an every-day starter since 2018 and has tallied 879 combined tackles, 9.5 sacks, and seven interceptions over eight seasons. Baker is having another solid season and the Cardinals get him signed through 2027 before his impending free agency in the offseason.