Cardinals safety Budda Baker was released from the hospital on Tuesday after being carted off the field on a stretcher during Monday night's game against the Rams, the team announced. Baker stayed overnight at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for evaluation, imaging and testing. After being cleared by doctors, Baker left the hospital and traveled back to Arizona.
Baker was ruled out with a concussion after taking a hard hit with 1:45 remaining in the third quarter of Monday's 34-11 loss against the Rams. The four-time Pro Bowler was attempting to tackle Rams running back Cam Akers, who completed an 11-yard run before the collision.
Baker appeared to hit helmet-first into Akers' right shoulder, then immediately fell to the ground and rolled onto his back. Akers initially appeared to taunt Baker and the Cardinals before realizing he was injured.
After the game, Akers tweeted his support for Baker, saying "prays up" and adding he didn't know that Baker was hurt after the play but he has "nothing but respect for him."
Baker never lost feeling or movement in his extremities, the team announced. He was alert and communicative and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, the Cardinals added.
Baker, 26, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. He has 63 tackles this season along with three interceptions and seven passes defended. Baker had four tackles before the injury on Monday night.
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