Budda Baker S ARI (14) Tue 11/28/23 2:08 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker recorded nine tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 37-14 loss versus the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
Baker tallied nine-plus total tackles for the third time in his last four games in Week 12. He's had a resurgence since missing five of the Cardinals' first six games to start the season, and he projects as a good IDP play in Week 13 at Pittsburgh.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Mon 11/6/23 10:12 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker recorded 10 tackles (four solo) in Sunday's Week 9 loss to Cleveland.
EDGE Analysis
It was a poor game for the Cardinals as a whole, but Baker put up a strong IDP performance by notching double-digit stops for the first time since Week 11 of last season. The veteran safety appears to be back in form after missing five games earlier in the campaign due to a hamstring injury. Baker has played every one of Arizona's defensive snaps since returning in Week 7.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Tue 10/31/23 9:30 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker logged six tackles (five solo) during Arizona's 31-24 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
Baker logged six tackles for the second straight week since returning from a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old will look to produce again versus the Browns this week and help slow down their offense.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Tue 10/24/23 5:17 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker registered six solo tackles in Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Seahawks.
EDGE Analysis
Baker was activated from the Cardinals' injured reserve list Saturday after recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 1. The injury didn't seem to impact his play as he was on the field for all 58 defensive snaps, and tied with Andre Chachere and Josh Woods for the most tackles on the team. Baker, who has spent his entire seven-year career with the Cardinals, will look to continue to make his veteran presence felt in Week 8 against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Sun 10/22/23 2:36 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker (hamstring) is active for Sunday/s game at Seattle, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baker thus is back in action for the first time since Week 1. When he's healthy, he's a candidate to log 100 percent of the defensive snaps in any given contest, but considering he was limited in practice Wednesday through Friday, the potential exists for the safety to have a cap on his reps Sunday. No matter, Baker has averaged nearly seven tackles per game across his six-plus campaigns.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Sat 10/21/23 2:37 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve and is expected to play Week 7 against the Seahawks, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baker is technically still listed as questionable despite limited participation in practice all week, but it doesn't make much sense for the Cardinals to activate the star safety from injured reserve unless they intend for him to play. The five-time Pro Bowl safety has recorded 100-plus tackles in four of the last five seasons.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Fri 10/20/23 7:48 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker (hamstring) has been deemed questionable for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Seahawks, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baker was placed on IR on Sept. 18 and has missed each of Arizona's past five games. He was able to log a trio of limited practice sessions this week, giving him a chance to play Sunday in Seattle. Baker's return would be well-timed with Jalen Thompson being ruled out for the contest due to a hamstring injury.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Wed 10/18/23 2:43 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Arizona designated Baker (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
The transaction opens up a 21-day window during which the Cardinals must either add Baker to the 53-man roster or choose to leave the safety on IR for the remainder of the season. The Cardinals will likely see how Baker fares in practice this week before determining if he's fit to play in Sunday's game at Seattle. Baker was a top-performing IDP option when available in 2022, finishing with 111 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble over 15 appearances.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Mon 10/16/23 7:08 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday the the Cardinals "possibly" may designate Baker (hamstring) for return from injured reserve this week, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baker injured his hamstring late during Week 2 prep and wasn't placed on IR ahead of the ensuing contest, so he was required to sit out at least Weeks 3-6 after the Cardinals made the IR move official on Monday, Sept. 18. Now that he's sat out those four games, he's eligible to return to practice this week, but Gannon only left the door open for such a situation to happen. Whenever he's cleared for game action, Baker will resume his standing as Arizona's starting free safety.
Budda Baker S ARI (14) Mon 9/18/23 5:04 PM
Budda Baker
S ARI (14)
Baker (hamstring) was placed on IR on Monday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Baker injured his hamstring in practice Friday and missed the team's Week 2 loss to the Giants. He'll now be out until at least the team's Oct. 22 matchup against the Rams in Week 7. The news is certainly a blow to the Cardinals defense, which had been competitive up until a second-half collapse in Week 2. Andre Chachere should continue to draw the start at safety in Baker's absence.