Arizona Cardinals to be without team leader Budda Baker Sunday vs. New York Giants
The Cardinals were without Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker Sunday against the New York Giants.
Baker, listed as questionable on the team's Friday injury report with a hamstring injury, was announced as out for Sunday's game as part of the Cardinals' list of inactive players released prior to kickoff.
Baker joined linebacker Josh Woods (injured ankle), cornerback Starling Thomas V, offensive lineman Carter O'Donnell, offensive lineman Ilm Manning, tight end Elijah Higgins and defensive lineman Leki Fotu (shoulder injury) on Sunday's inactive list.
"We just gotta evaluate, he wasn't healthy enough to play today," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said after the team's 31-28 loss to the New York Giants, in which a Baker-less defense couldn't stop the Giants from scoring 31 second-half points. "I think he got he got nicked on Friday and we'll see as we go through the next week here."
Baker missed two games last season with a fractured shoulder. He's been largely injury free over his seven-year NFL career despite a hard-hitting and all-out style of play.
A team captain, Baker is regarded as the heart and soul of the Cardinals' defense. The Cardinals on Saturday moved to shore up the safety position Satuday by signing Andre Chachere from the practice squad.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hamstring injury sidelines Arizona Cardinals' captain Budda Baker
