Cardinals S Budda Baker to be activated off injured reserve, expected to play Sunday vs. Seahawks

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker is being activated off of injured reserve and is expected to play in Sunday’s game versus the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday, per a source.

The team later announced the news.

Baker suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 that landed him on injured reserve for the first time in his career, but after spending the minimum four weeks recovering, his practice window was opened this week, alongside quarterback Kyler Murray (ACL), who has not been activated yet.

Despite being listed as questionable on the Cardinals’ Friday injury report and only participating in limited capacity during the week’s practices, it seems the team believes safety Baker is prepared to return to game action, taking a leading role in Arizona’s secondary.

Now in his seventh NFL season, Baker is a five-time Pro Bowler for the Cardinals and has been named First-Team All-Pro twice. In 2022, the safety recorded 11 combined tackles, two interceptions, seven defended passes, and one forced fumble.

The Cardinals (1-5) and Seahawks (3-2) will kick off in Seattle at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon.