Cardinals Agree With Budda Baker On Three-Year Extension
The Arizona Cardinals and All-Pro safety Budda Baker reached an agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract extension on Tuesday that includes $30 million in guarantees. The $18 million average per year is the biggest third contract for a safety in NFL history. The deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The 28-year-old defensive back was taken by Arizona in the second round in 2017 out of Washington and has played all eight of his NFL seasons with the Cardinals, picking up six Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors. He's the only safety in the league to be a Pro Bowler in each of the last five seasons. Since entering the league in 2017, Baker leads all NFL DBs in total tackles (861) and solo tackles (600). He ranks second in the NFL this year with 142 tackles and is a weekly starting option in IDP fantasy leagues.
Budda Baker Added To Injury Report, Questionable For Week 15
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (illness) was added to the injury report on Sunday morning. He's officially questionable to play against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15. With just six hours until the game starts, it appears that the safety's status is suddenly up in the air, though it's possible that this is strictly procedural and doesn't need to trigger any warning flags. Fans and managers concerned about Baker's availability should check back for confirmation on his status 90 minutes before kickoff.
Budda Baker Activated From IR, Will Play Sunday Against Seattle
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (hamstring) has been activated from IR and will play on Sunday in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. The former All-Pro missed the last five weeks with a hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 1. The Arizona defense has been getting gashed lately so the return of Baker should provide a boost for the Cardinals as a whole on Sunday. Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (hip, ribs) is currently a game-time decision and will be playing at less than 100% if he does suit up, which is another plus for Arizona.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old safety has not played since Week 1 after injuring his hamstring and being placed on IR immediately following Week 2. Baker had his 21-day practice window opened up earlier this week but he's not guaranteed to play this Sunday. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters on Friday that Baker has looked good in practice but he wants to see how he feels after today's session before deciding if he will be active or not. His return would give the entire Cardinals' defense a lift and go a long way if Arizona were to upset Seattle on Sunday. It sounds like Baker is shaping up to be a game-time decision for now.
Budda Baker Designated To Return From Injured Reserve
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the team has opened the 21-day practice window for safety Budda Baker (hamstring) to return from Injured Reserve. Baker was officially limited in Wednesday's practice, but it remains to be seen if the Cardinals see enough this week to officially activate him from IR for what would be his season debut in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks. The 27-year-old should be scooped up now if he's available in IDP leagues, as he posted 111 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 15 games last year when healthy.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (hamstring) could return to the field soon. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said the team "possibly" could designate Baker for return from the injured reserve list this week. The All-Pro safety injured his hamstring during practice in Week 2 but wasn't placed on IR until before Week 3. With Baker now missing the required four games, he can re-join the team as soon as this week. Gannon left the door open for that to happen in Week 7. When Baker returns, he will step back into his starting free safety role.
The Arizona Cardinals placed star safety Budda Baker (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Monday, which means he'll now miss at least the next four games. Baker suffered his hamstring injury in practice on Friday and was inactive for the Week 2 loss to the New York Giants. The 27-year-old All-Pro won't be able to make his return to the field until Oct. 22 against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. It's bad news for the entire Cardinals defense as they head into a Week 3 matchup against the 2-0 Dallas Cowboys. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues that were using Baker in a starting defensive back role will now have to look in another direction for at least the next four weeks. Andre Chachere will continue to start in Baker's absence.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. He had been listed as questionable after popping up on the injury report Friday. His absence will be felt as the Cardinals enter Week 2 as underdogs. Andre Chachere is expected to start at free safety in his absence.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (hamstring) popped up on the Week 2 injury report on Friday and was a limited practice participant, leaving him questionable to play against the New York Giants this Sunday. Baker must have picked up the hamstring injury during practice this week after he was a full participant on both Wednesday and Thursday. The 27-year-old is one of the better defensive backs in the league, so losing him for Week 2 would be a big blow to a Cardinals defense against a Giants offense that didn't score a single point in their 40-0 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues need to have a backup plan in place on Sunday in case Baker isn't active.
Arizona Cardinals star safety Budda Baker received a raise before training camp, getting $2.4 million in bonuses and incentives this year, including a $300,000 signing bonus. He also received a raise for the 2024 season. Baker is entering the final two years of his current deal. The 27-year-old asked for a trade early this offseason, but the two sides have now mended their fences, starting when he reported to minicamp in June. Baker remains a top-five fantasy option in IDP formats at defensive back after he made his fourth straight Pro Bowl in 2022. In 15 starts last year, he finished with 111 tackles (75 solo), two interceptions, seven passes defensed and a forced fumble. He has 100-plus total tackles in four of his six NFL seasons.
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