Budda Baker

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker will return Sunday against the Jets after undergoing surgery to repair a torn thumb ligament.

Fantasy Impact

Baker has been nothing short of fantastic for the Cardinals since being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowler (2017, 2019) and was a first-team All-Pro special teams selection as a rookie. The Cardinals take on a lowly New York Jets team this week and his return should help boost an Arizona D/ST that's coming off back-to-back losses at the hands of Detroit and Carolina.

Budda Baker will not play in Sunday's game against the Panthers in Carolina.

Fantasy Impact

Baker recently had thumb surgery and although no timetable for his return has been officially announced, a lot of pundits are speculating that he should be back for Week 5.

Cardinals' safety Budda Baker plans to play in Week 3 vs. the Lions' but will undergo surgery to repair a UCL tear in his thumb in the coming week. He is expected to miss the teams Week 4 game against the Panthers' following surgery.

Fantasy Impact

It's unclear when Baker suffered the tear but it is the same injury that sidelined Drew Brees for five weeks in 2019. Despite playing in Week 3, Baker will presumably miss the teams Week 4 game before returning in Week 5.

Budda Baker is signing a 4-year extension for $59 million. The extension makes Baker the highest paid safety in the NFL.

Fantasy Impact

Baker has played his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and is now in a position to play the next four with them. Baker will be asked to step up as an anchor for the Cardinals secondary for the next four years.

Budda Baker ended Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Rams with 13 tackles (eight solo), and 0.5 sacks.

Fantasy Impact

Baker finishes 2019 second on the team in tackles with 147. He should be viewed as an S1 in all leagues.