Budda Baker Fantasy

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (thumb) has been ruled out for Week 4 against the Panthers. Baker underwent surgery to fix a UCL tear in his thumb this week, but the Cardinals are hoping it's just a one-game absence for their All-Pro defensive back. One of the top IDP safeties on a weekly basis, fantasy managers will have to replace the 24-year-old in their lineups this weekend. The two-time Pro Bowler has 28 combined tackles (22 solo) and a pass defensed in three games this season. His absence on Sunday is good news for Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but the Cardinals Defense is still in consideration as a low-end starting unit with running back Christian McCaffrey still out for Carolina.

Oct. 3rd • 1:34 PM

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (thumb) will play through a significant thumb injury in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions. Baker is dealing with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the same injury that kept Drew Brees out for six weeks. It's a bit different for quarterbacks as opposed to defensive players, as the All-Pro safety is opting for surgery this week after the contest against the Lions. Baker is hoping to miss just one game, Week 5 against the Panthers. He had 15 tackles in Week 1 and then just five in Week 2, so it's certainly possible that he won't be himself again until his thumb is repaired.

Sep. 27th • 10:35 AM

The Arizona Cardinals are giving Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker a four-year, $59 million contract extension on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, according to sources. The new deal will average $14.75 million per season. Baker will also receive $33.1 million guaranteed in the massive deal. A second-round pick by Arizona in 2017, Baker made his second Pro Bowl in 2019, recording a career-high 104 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, six passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in a full 16 games. As the leader of the Cardinals secondary, the 24-year-old is an elite fantasy defensive back in IDP formats.

Aug. 25th • 1:09 PM