Cardinals' Budda Baker: Plans to play in season finale
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Baker (concussion/thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday and said that he'll play Sunday against the Rams after clearing concussion protocol, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Baker missed last Sunday's loss to Cincinnati while in concussion protocol, but he said Thursday that he's since passed through the NFL's five-step process and is good to go for Sunday. That should be a big boost to Arizona's defense, which was torched by the combination of Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco for a 121.2 passer rating last weekend. Baker ranks second on the Cardinals with 111 tackles on the campaign (one behind linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither) and has added five defensed passes, including one interception.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Limited in Wednesday's practice
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Baker (concussion/thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Baker was unable to play against the Bengals in Week 17 while in the league's concussion protocol. He's also working through a thumb injury, and his ability to return to practice in a limited capacity indicates that he is progressing in his recovery. Baker would need an independent neurologist to clear him from concussion protocol in order for him to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Remains out Sunday
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Baker (concussion/thumb) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
The 29-year-old sustained a concussion in the Cardinals' Week 16 loss to the Falcons and wasn't able to clear protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Baker is now in line to miss his first game of the season, having recorded 111 total tackles and five passes defensed, including one interception, over 15 appearances. While he's sidelined in Week 17, expect Kitan Crawford to operate as Arizona's top free safety.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Doesn't practice Wednesday
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Baker (concussion) didn't participate in Arizona's walkthrough Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.
Baker remains in the league's concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion during the Week 16 loss versus the Falcons. The 2017 second-round pick will need to clear the protocol before he's eligible to return. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson and Kitan Crawford would see increased playing time during Sunday's game versus the Bengals if Baker ends up being unable to play.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: In concussion protocol
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Head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday that Baker is in concussion protocol following Sunday's 26-19 loss to the Falcons, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Despite playing 68 defensive snaps and recording 10 total tackles and one pass defensed in the Week 16 loss, the 29-year-old appears to have sustained a concussion. Baker must clear the NFL's five-step protocol in order to play in the Week 17 matchup against the Bengals. If he's unable to suit up Sunday, expect Kitan Crawford to start at free safety.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Registers 10 stops in Week 16
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Baker totaled 10 tackles (four solo) and a defensed pass Sunday in a loss to Buffalo.
Baker briefly left the game to be evaluated for a concussion but was able to return shortly thereafter. He ended up tying his season high in stops, with his previous 10-tackle performance taking place Week 1 against New Orleans. Baker has posted 111 tackles on the campaign, marking his sixth career regular season with triple-digit stops. He's also notched five defensed passes, including an interception, this season.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Posts eight tackles in defeat
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Baker recorded eight tackles (five solo) in the Cardinals' 40-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.
Baker has at least eight tackles in seven of his 14 appearances this season and has now produced 101 tackles (46 solo), including 0.5 sacks, four pass breakups, including one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery on 99 percent of the defensive snaps during the 2025 campaign.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Records five stops in Week 10 loss
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Baker finished Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with five tackles (two solo).
The veteran safety dealt with a hamstring issue throughout the week but was ultimately cleared to suit up. Baker ended up logging 90 percent of Arizona's defensive snaps in the defeat -- the first time this season he hasn't been on the field for every defensive snap. His five tackles tied a season-low mark.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Cleared to play Week 10
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Baker (hamstring) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.
A hamstring injury limited Baker in the first two practices of Week 10 prep, but the veteran safety has been cleared to play against Seattle after logging a full practice Friday. The 2017 second-rounder has accumulated 56 tackles (26 solo), two pass defenses and one fumble recovery across eight regular-season games.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Limited again
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Baker (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
The safety was estimated to be a limited participant in Wednesday's walkthrough. Baker will have one more day to practice fully ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Seahawks. The veteran has played on every defensive snap this season for the Cardinals.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Solid outing in loss
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Baker tallied six total tackles (three solo) and one pass defended in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Colts.
Baker has now recorded five or more total tackles in each of the Cardinals' first six games this season, bringing his season total to 41, which ranks fourth on the team. Despite this, he's had an underwhelming start to Arizona's 2025 campaign after posting 164 total tackles (second in the NFL) and five passes defended over 17 games in 2024. Baker is expected to remain one of the Cardinals' top defensive playmakers in the Week 7 matchup against the Packers.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Records eight tackles in win
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Baker recorded eight tackles (four solo) in the Cardinals' win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Baker played all 85 defensive snaps against Carolina and finished tied for second on the team in tackles in the victory. On the season, the veteran safety has logged 18 tackles (nine solo) and one pass breakup through two contests.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Double-digit tackles to begin 2025
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Baker recorded 10 tackles (five solo), including one tackle for loss, and one pass defensed in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Saints.
Baker was on the field for 100 percent of defensive snaps and led the Cardinals in total tackles. He's coming off a career-best season in 2024 when he posted 164 stops, and he'll be one of the most important defensive players in Arizona once again in 2025. Baker logged double-digit tackles in seven of 17 games last season, and he got the 2025 campaign off to a fast start in that regard.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Records career-high tackle mark
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Baker racked up 164 tackles, including 2.0 sacks, five pass defenses and one forced fumble in 17 games during the 2024 regular season.
Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Baker hasn't been involved too much in terms of turnovers (just seven interceptions, seven forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 122 career contests). However, he's reached the century mark in tackles five times in eight campaigns, including a personal best (by 17) in 2024. Baker is under contract through the 2027 campaign, so the 29-year-old remains locked in as a top IDP option among the league's defensive backs.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Dominant in loss
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Baker totaled 18 tackles (eight solo) during Arizona's loss to the Seahawks on Sunday.
Baker had one of his best games of the campaign despite the loss as he racked up a season-high 18 tackles. Throughout 13 games played, the 28-year-old has compiled 132 tackles (81 solo), with 2.0 sacks, and will look to add to his total during the team's Week 15 matchup versus New England.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Continues dominating in Week 10
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Baker recorded nine total tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks and an additional two tackles for loss, and defended one pass in Sunday's 31-6 win over the Jets.
Baker stuffed the stat sheet in Sunday's blowout win, continuing to add to one of the most productive seasons of his career. The All-Pro safety has now accumulated 100 total tackles (the second most in the NFL), including 1.0 sacks, and three passes defended through the Cardinals' first 10 games this season. Arizona has a Week 11 bye, and Baker is expected to keep building on his incredible 2024 campaign when the Cardinals take on the Seahawks in Week 12.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Another big performance in win
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Baker finished with 12 tackles (10 solo) in Sunday's 29-9 win over the Bears.
The veteran safety is now second in the league in tackles with 91 and tied for first in solo tackles with 58. Baker also has two pass breakups on the year. He has played on every defensive snap in six of nine games and on at least 85.0 percent of the defensive snaps in all nine contests.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Makes eight tackles
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Baker recorded eight tackles (four solo) in Monday's 17-15 win over the Chargers.
The safety also played on every defensive snap for the fifth time in seven games this season. Baker has 67 tackles (42 solo) and a pass defensed on the year.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Active in loss
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Baker recorded eight tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Packers.
The safety also played on every defensive snap for the fourth time in six games. Baker has 60 tackles (38 solo) on the year, tied for third most in the league.
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Cardinals' Budda Baker: Full practice participant Thursday
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Baker (quadriceps) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session.
Baker was limited in Wednesday's session due to a quadriceps injury he picked up in Week 3 against the Lions. He was able to practice without restrictions Thursday, and he should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Through the first three games of the regular season, Baker has totaled 25 tackles (16 solo) and one pass defended.
