The Arizona Cardinals ruled out safety Budda Baker with a concussion/thumb injury ahead of Friday. The nine-year NFL veteran will not play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, leaving a massive hole in the secondary.
In 2025, Baker has racked up 111 tackles (50 solo, 61 assisted), an interception, and five passes defended while appearing in every game this season. His presence on the field is never unnoticed, which makes losing him even worse.
Baker, 29, is the longest tenured on the Cardinals and has been a captain on the defense for six years since 2020. Baker has earned eight Pro Bowl selections, coupled with earning two All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2020. He is certainly making a case this season for his third, as he has the numbers to back it up.
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On top of being without Baker, the team saw Will Johnson, Max Melton, and Jalen Thompson (all members of the secondary) as limited participants on Friday. It will be up to head coach Jonathan Gannon to determine the status of those three ahead of the game on Sunday.
Being without Baker is one thing, but missing three other defensive backs ahead of a game where they are set to face Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins is something you never want to see.
The Cardinals already lost their star rookie defensive tackle, Walter Nolen III, for the season with a knee injury. Edge rusher Josh Sweat is also listed as questionable with a knee/ankle injury of his own. This means that Arizona could be without arguably its three best defenders on Sunday.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals ruled out offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with a knee injury (a common trend with this team). It will be Johnson’s third consecutive game missed with injury.
The Cardinals also ruled out cornerback Kei’Trel Clark (back) and tackle Evan Brown (NIR-personal) for Sunday.
As it stands, we are still waiting on a status update regarding the three missing defensive backs, as well as Josh Sweat, Darren Hall, and Hjalte Froholdt.
The Cardinals are likely going to have to rely on their depth pieces, as the secondary remains banged up ahead of a matchup that features a very dangerous passing offense. Not to mention the fact that two of Arizona’s top pass rushers may also be sidelined.
It will be tough sledding ahead if the younger guys on the roster aren’t able to step up. It will be interesting to see how they answer the call.