Kyler Murray‘s 2023 debut will have to wait at least one more week, but the Cardinals will have another top player back in the fold on Sunday. Safety Budda Baker has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to play in Week 7, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Baker, like Murray, was designated for return earlier this week. That move opened up both players’ 21-day practice window during which activation is required to avoid season-ending IR. Murray’s ramp-up period will give backup quarterback Josh Dobbs at least one more game at the helm, but Arizona’s defense will welcome Baker’s return to game action.
The latter suffered a hamstring injury during practice in advance of Week 2, which led to his IR stint. That marked the longest injury absence of his career and left Arizona without the two-time All-Pro on the backend. Baker will give a notable boost to an Arizona defense that ranks 22nd in the league in passing yards allowed per game (243) and which has seen only two defensive backs record an interception so far.
The 27-year-old had an eventful offseason, with his desire for a market-leading contract leading to a trade request that eventually went public. In the end, the team and player worked out a compromise that guaranteed his 2023 compensation (including a $13.1M base salary), but he remains signed through 2024 at a non-guaranteed figure of $14.6M. With the Cardinals sitting at 1-5, many expect the rebuilding team to adopt a seller's stance ahead of the upcoming deadline.
The play of Baker — who has earned Pro Bowl acclaim in each of the past four seasons and five overall — will no doubt go a long way in determining his potential trade market. He has eclipsed 100 tackles four times in his career along with multiple interceptions every year from 2020-22. It will be worth watching how much interest he generates upon return, as the Cardinals look to continue their trend of better-than-expected performances this season.
Bringing Baker back will use up one of Arizona’s seven remaining IR activations. Murray’s return (from the PUP list) will not count toward that total, but it will likewise be a notable development for the Cardinals as they look to get healthier in the coming weeks.
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