Cardinals Safety Returns to Practice

The Arizona Cardinals might get a much-needed boost for their critical Week 10 NFC West showdown with the Los Angeles Rams. Four-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker returned to practice Friday after missing Thursday and Wednesday sessions with an ankle injury.

Well lookie here - Budda Baker is out at practice. Maybe he could play after all.

So was Kyler Murray and D.J. Humphries.

Didn’t see Byron Murphy, Rodney Hudson, Max Garcia. pic.twitter.com/I6m05kdIt4

— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) November 11, 2022

Baker played all but one defensive snap in the Cardinals' Week 9 31-21 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, but his unavailability early in the week cast doubt over his ability to play in Sunday's game against the Rams. He'll at least have a chance to see the field this week.

At 3-6, the Cardinals need all the help they can get against the Rams. Baker is one of the lone bright spots on a defense that ranks 31st in points allowed, and the Cardinals have lost three straight against their NFC West rival. 

Baker has been one of the Cardinals' cornerstones since being drafted 36th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. A Pro Bowler in four of his five previous seasons, Baker leads the team in tackles this year and sports a solid 72.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

Photo Credit: © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK