Budda

Baker

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.

Neither will (inhale): CB Max Melton (concussion), LB BJ Ojulari (knee), or LB Mack Wilson (ribs) — the good news is that Budda Baker (hamstring) upgraded to full today and has been removed from the injury report. Arizona’s defense looked good against the Cowboys on Monday night, but their cornerback depth will be tested against Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed.

Per AZ Central Sports’ Theo Mackie, Baker appeared to pass his exam and attempted to resume practicing before DC Nick Rallis talked him out of it. Wilson left the field with training staffers and will undergo further examination.

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.

Baker was added to the injury report on Sunday morning. We expect him to play through the issue, though we won’t know definitively until 90 minutes before kickoff. Baker has 58 tackles and three TFLs in eight games this season.

Baker will make his much anticipated return to the active roster against the division rival Seahawks in Week 7 after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. The Cardinals started the season with two solid defensive showings against the Commanders and during the first half of their game against the Giants, largely failing to adjust to life without Baker since. He will bring a needed jolt to head coach Jonathan Gannon’s modified two-high-shallow defensive shell that asks a lot of its safeties.

Baker was a late addition to the Cardinals’ Week 2 injury report and then was placed on Injured Reserve on the following Monday. Arguably the most impactful player on Arizona’s defense, Baker being back on the field would be a major help. However, practicing today simply begins his 21-day window to be activated, so it’s unclear yet how much practice time he’ll need before we can see him on the field again.