Arizona Cardinals update Budda Baker's status after injury, hospitalization

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker was carted off the field and hospitalized after a scary collision with Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers on Monday night. On Tuesday, Cardinals SVP of Media Relations Mark Dalton provided a positive update on Baker, who is traveling back to Arizona.

“Tuesday update on Budda Baker: Budda stayed overnight at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for continued evaluation, imaging and testing,” Dalton said. “He was cleared by the physicians there, released this morning and is on his way back to Arizona.”

Tuesday update on Budda Baker:
 
Budda stayed overnight at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for continued evaluation, imaging and testing.

He was cleared by the physicians there, released this morning and is on his way back to Arizona. pic.twitter.com/GIt1s8k24l

— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) January 18, 2022

Baker’s injury came on a running play, where he and Akers went helmet-to-helmet. Both Baker and Akers were running very hard, leading to a significant collision as Akers came down. Baker never lost any feeling or movement, according to the team’s medical staff. He was immediately stretchered off the field, and taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Baker totaled four tackles in the game before going down to injury. The Cardinals fell to the Rams, with Los Angeles cruising to a 34-11 victory to end Arizona’s season.

In 17 games this season, Baker totaled 98 tackles, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, two sacks, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions. Baker first entered the league in 2017 after being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the NFL Draft out of Washington. Through five seasons, he has 539 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, 7.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 27 pass breakups, five interceptions, and one touchdown.

Akers addressed, Baker incident, taunting Cardinals

Following the play where the injury occurred, Akers didn’t quite realize the severity of the situation. He was unaware of the injury to Baker, and was seen taunting Cardinals players. Arizona grew upset with Akers after the incident, but once he realized that Baker was injured, he quickly changed.

On Monday night after the game, Akers tweeted a message that clarified his controversial actions.

“Prayers up to Budda,” Akers said after the Rams’ win. “I didn’t know he was hurt after the play but I have nothing but respect for him.”

The Cardinals finished the regular season at 11-6, earning the top wildcard spot in the NFC playoffs. Arizona finished just behind the Rams in the NFC West standings.