2 min read • January 18, 2022
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Cardinals safety Budda Baker was carted off after suffering a scary hit late in the 3rd quarter against the Rams.
Based on video of the injury, ProFootballDoc believes that the damage is relegated to a concussion, and there is no injury risk to his neck or spine.
He was ruled out immediately after the play with a concussion and taken out in an ambulance presumably to a local hospital to be evaluated.
Baker's head was jostled around and driven into the ground while attempting to tackle Cam Akers, and his body postured after impact. He stayed down and was carted off, and had movement feeling in all his extremities, according to the Cardinals.
In response to concussions, the brain can send override signals to the body, which is what causes the concerning movement while players are seemingly knocked out. A common response is fencing, where arms stiffen up, one straight and the other bent, as was the case with Baker.
With the Cardinals season likely over – they are down 31-8 midway through the 4th quarter at the time of this post – the 4-time pro-bowler will have ample time to rest and recover from the concussion.
Baker, who signed a 4-year, $59 million extension before the 2020 season, notched 98 tackle and 3 interceptions in 17 games for the 11-6 Cardinals in 2021.
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