The month didn’t start particularly well for Budda Baker. It ended rather well for the Cardinals safety, however.
After beginning October by missing the team’s 31-21 loss at the Panthers following thumb surgery, Baker responded with 31 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble in three straight Cardinals’ wins, all while wearing a cast on his right hand.
His efforts were rewarded on Thursday as Baker was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month.
Baker is the first NFL player in the last seven years to record at least 30 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in a single calendar month.