Budda Baker - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Plans to play in season finale 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 Cardinal...

Impact 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.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Press Conference: January 1st, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on Thursday, January 1st.

JANUARY 1 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Limited in Wednesday's practice Baker (concussion/thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals rule out longest-tenured player ahead of Sunday The Arizona Cardinals ruled out safety Budda Baker with a concussion/thumb injury ahead of Friday. The nine-year NFL veteran will not play a...

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • RAISINGZONA.COM

Remains out Sunday Baker (concussion/thumb) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bengals, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Baker (concussion) didn't participate in Arizona's practice Wednesday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

In concussion protocol 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...

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Registers 10 stops in Week 16 Baker totaled 10 tackles (four solo) and a defensed pass Sunday in a loss to Buffalo.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to return Baker (concussion) has been cleared to return to Sunday's matchup versus the Falcons, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.

Impact Baker has returned to the game after briefly exiting in order to be evaluated for a concussion. The 29-year-old should continue to serve as the team's top option at free safety.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Being evaluated for concussion Baker is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Impact Baker left the game in the third quarter with a head injury and is being evaluated by one of the league's independent neurologists for a concussion. If he is deemed to have suffered the injury, he will be unable to return to Sunday's contest and will have to enter the league's concussion protocol.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Press Conference: December 18th, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on Thursday, December 18th.

DECEMBER 18, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Posts eight tackles in defeat Baker recorded eight tackles (five solo) in the Cardinals' 40-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies six stops in Week 14 defeat Baker logged six tackles (three solo) Sunday in a loss to the Rams.

Impact Baker had a relatively quiet game, finishing tied for fourth on Arizona in stops. That was his lowest mark since he logged five tackles against Seattle in Week 10. Still, Baker has been an elite IDP option this season, registering 93 tackles (including 0.5 sacks) and four defensed passes (including one interception) through 13 games.

DECEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker Media Availability | Week 14 vs Los Angeles Rams Budda Baker speaks with the media in the locker room following practice.

DECEMBER 5, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Compiles nine tackles Sunday Baker recorded nine tackles (three solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tampa Bay.

Impact With another nice day in the box score in Week 13, Baker has now tallied at least seven tackles in five of his last six games. He's easily on pace for the sixth 100-plus tackle season of his career and projects as a good IDP play in most formats in a Week 14 matchup versus the Rams.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tristan Wirfs' TD catch and late defensive stop help Buccaneers beat Cardinals 20-17

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have snapped a three-game skid with a 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Preview of Cardinals' Matchup | Bucs Blitz A look at the Buccaneers’ Week 13 clash with the Cardinals, including the return of Bucky Irving and the challenges that Trey McBride and Bu...

NOVEMBER 28, 2025 • BUCCANEERS.COM

Film Room: Nolen's Big Man Touchdown, Budda's (Half) Sack Cardinals analyst A.Q. Shipley takes a look at two big Cardinals plays from the Jaguars game: Walter Nolen III's touchdown on the Jalen Thom...

NOVEMBER 27, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Very involved in Week 12 Baker tallied nine tackles (four solo), including 0.5 sacks, along with an interception Sunday in an overtime loss to Jacksonville.

Impact Baker got into the sack column for the first time this season with an assisted sack of Trevor Lawrence early in the second quarter. That was one of his nine stops in the contest, which tied for the team lead. Baker's biggest play, however, was a pickoff of Lawrence midway through the fourth quarter that set up a go-ahead touchdown by Arizona three plays later. The interception was Baker's first sine the 2022 season.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Budda Baker, Calais Campbell, and Trey McBride Postgame Media | Week 12 vs Jaguars Budda Baker, Calais Campbell, and Trey McBride speak with the media in the locker room following the loss to the Jaguars in Week 12.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Lawrence throws 3 TD passes, Little kicks 52-yard FG in OT as Jaguars beat Cardinals 27-24

Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, Cam Little kicked a 52-yard field goal in overtime and the Jacksonville Jaguars overcame a turnover-filled performance to beat the Ari...

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Budda Baker Press Conference: November 20th, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on Thursday, November 20th.

NOVEMBER 20, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Posts eight stops vs. San Fran Baker logged eight tackles (three solo) during the Cardinals' 41-22 loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

Impact Baker was one of four Arizona defenders to play every single defensive snap Sunday and finished second on the team in tackles behind Cody Simon (12). Baker has posted at least five stops in each of the first 10 regular-season games and is up to 69 tackles (31 solo), two pass defenses and one fumble recovery in 2025.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals Cover 2 - Familiar Foes Face Off On Sunday Ep. 946 - Twelve times they've played against each other. Sunday will be No. 13 between Budda Baker and George Kittle. It's one of the many...

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

Budda Baker Press Conference: November 13th, 2025 Budda Baker speaks with the media on November 13th, 2025.

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 • AZCARDINALS.COM

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Tristan Wirfs' TD catch and late defensive stop help Buccaneers beat Cardinals 20-17

Lawrence throws 3 TD passes, Little kicks 52-yard FG in OT as Jaguars beat Cardinals 27-24