Tag: Baker

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker (55) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins activate LB Jerome Baker off IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins activated linebacker Jerome Baker from injured reserve on Saturday, one day before the AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills.

Miami opened the roster spot for Baker by putting star linebacker Bradley Chubb on IR. Chubb, who has 11 sacks this season, tore the ACL in his right knee during last weekend’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

The game between the Dolphins (11-5) and Bills (10-6) will determine the champion of the AFC East.

Baker injured the MCL in his left knee in a victory over the Washington Commanders on Dec. 3. He missed the past four games.

Baker, who turned 27 on Dec. 25, has 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions (one returned for touchdown) in 12 games this season.

He has been one of Miami’s steadiest defensive players during his six-year NFL career. He has recorded 100 or more tackles three times and has 22.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five interceptions in 93 career games (82 starts).

Miami also elevated linebacker Melvin Ingram and cornerback Ethan Bonner to the active roster for Sunday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker (55) returns an interception for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins put LB Jerome Baker on IR, rule out RG Robert Hunt

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins placed linebacker Jerome Baker on injured reserve on Saturday and also ruled out right guard Robert Hunt for Monday’s home game against the Tennessee Titans.

Baker injured the MCL in his knee during last Saturday’s victory over the Washington Commanders. He will have to miss at least four games by being placed on the IR.

Miami coach Mike McDaniel termed it a tough decision as the Dolphins can only activate one more player from IR this season.

“See, it’s hard,” McDaniel said of Baker’s possible return. “That’d be me accessing the crystal ball. I think that that very well could be the outcome, but you’re hesitant with the way the season goes, the roster needs and him and his recovery. You just want to temper that a little bit. To assume that is not irresponsible, but I wouldn’t put money on it because it’s not known, if that makes sense.”

Baker, 26, has been one of Miami’s steadiest defensive players during his six-year NFL career. He has recorded 100 or more tackles three times and has 22.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five interceptions in 93 career games (82 starts).

Baker has 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions (one returned for touchdown) in 12 games this season.

Hunt, 27, aggravated a hamstring injury against the Commanders. It was the same injury that caused him to miss two games last month.

The fourth-year pro has started 54 of 60 games played in the NFL.

The Dolphins listed left tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle) and free safety Jevon Holland (both knees) as questionable for Monday’s game.

Miami also signed linebacker Calvin Munson off the practice squad of the New England Patriots. This is Munson’s third stint with the Dolphins.

Munson has 88 tackles in 46 career games (seven starts) since breaking in with the New York Giants in 2017. He has played in 22 games for the Dolphins and 10 for the Patriots. Munson had one tackle in three games for New England this season.

Also, Tennessee ruled out cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and tight end Josh Whyle (knee). The Titans had previously ruled out star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (knee).

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 9, 2022.

Cardinals S Budda Baker lands on IR

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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

Head coach Jonathan Gannon said Monday that Baker’s hamstring strain was severe, but tests revealed the muscle was still intact. Gannon said the Cardinals expect Baker back this season.

“You rally around, you’re never going to replace a Budda Baker,” Gannon said. “But we have guys we feel comfortable that can get the job done and play winning football for us.”

The move to injured reserve means Baker will miss at least four games. He’s eligible to return Oct. 22 at Seattle.

Baker had missed just five games since being drafted by the Cardinals in 2017, including the final two games of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury.

“We missed him a lot,” safety Jalen Thompson said of Baker leaving the loss to the Giants. “That’s our defensive captain right there. It’s always good having him on the field. As a leader he makes sure we are all set and all good. It was a big loss to not have Budda out there but it’s next man up. We have to keep going and keep going hard.”

Part of the collective effort in replacing the Pro Bowl safety, recently elevated practice squad safety Andre Chachere figures more prominently in the defensive game plan.

And to help fill the void, Arizona signed safety Qwuantrezz Knight off of the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) runs out on to the field to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 25, 2022. Nfl Tampa Bay At Cardinals Budda Baker

Cardinals S Budda Baker not holding out despite trade request

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Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker plans to attend training camp next month despite a trade request, his agent told NFL Network.

NFL Network cited Baker’s rep, David Mulugheta, in detailing Baker’s plan to join the team for the start of camp but wants a deal that shows he’s a “long-term part of the team.”

He attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not practice.

First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon said the situation is an “organization thing.”

Baker, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a four-year, $59 million deal in 2020 and is under contract through the 2024 season. He’s the seventh-highest paid safety in the NFL. Arizona already picked up the team option for ’24.

Baker, 27, was a second-round pick in 2017. He has 650 career tackles with 7.5 sacks and seven interceptions in 93 games over six seasons, all with Arizona.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) makes a catch while being guarded by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (34) on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts place CB Isaiah Rodgers (knee) on injured reserve

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts placed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on injured reserve Wednesday.

Rodgers started the last nine games for the Colts before sustaining a knee injury in Monday’s 20-3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Rodgers, who turns 25 on Jan. 7, has recorded 34 tackles, four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in 15 games (nine starts) this season. He also has averaged 25.1 yards per kickoff return.

He has totaled 90 tackles, 10 passes defensed and three interceptions in 45 games (10 starts) since being selected by Indianapolis in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Also on Wednesday, the Colts promoted cornerback Darrell Baker from the practice squad to the active roster. They also signed cornerback David Vereen to the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Gov. Charlie Baker listens to Framingham High School students during a roundtable discussion on the state's Early College program at MassBay Community College in Framingham, Nov. 17, 2022.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker named NCAA president

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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will take over as the NCAA president on March 1, the organization announced on Thursday.

Baker, 66, will succeed Mark Emmert, who has served in the role since 2010. Emmert announced last April that he was stepping down.

“I am honored to become the next president of the NCAA, an organization that impacts millions of families and countless communities across this country every day,” Baker said in a news release. “The NCAA is confronting complex and significant challenges, but I am excited to get to work as the awesome opportunity college athletics provides to so many students is more than worth the challenge.

“And for the fans that faithfully fill stadiums, stands and gyms from coast to coast, I am eager to ensure the competitions we all love to follow are there for generations to come. Over the coming months, I will begin working with student-athletes and NCAA members as we modernize college sports to suit today’s world, while preserving its essential value.”

Baker played basketball as an undergraduate at Harvard in the 1970s.

“We are excited to welcome Governor Charlie Baker to the NCAA and eager for him to begin his work with our organization,” said Linda Livingstone, Baylor president and chair of the NCAA Board of Governors, who helmed the presidential search committee.

“Governor Baker has shown a remarkable ability to bridge divides and build bipartisan consensus, taking on complex challenges in innovative and effective ways.

“As a former student-athlete himself, husband to a former college gymnast, and father to two former college football players, Governor Baker is deeply committed to our student-athletes and enhancing their collegiate experience. These skills and perspective will be invaluable as we work with policymakers to build a sustainable model for the future of college athletics.”

Baker, a Republican, did not seek re-election to a third term in Massachusetts. Democrat Maura Healey won the gubernatorial election in November.

Emmert will continue to work the NCAA as a consultant through June 2023.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Deandre Hopkins (10) avoids a tackle against Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (30) in the third quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals WR Hopkins is game-time decision vs. Panthers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is a game-day decision to play in Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, coach Kliff Kingsbury said on Friday.

Hopkins is bothered by an ankle injury he sustained in last Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. He missed all three practices this week and the Cardinals listed him as questionable on their injury report.

Hopkins, who was acquired from the Houston Texans in the offseason, leads the NFL in both receptions (32) and receiving yards (356). It would be a major blow if he sits out against the Panthers.

“We’ll see,” Kingsbury said. “He’s been working through it and there has been progress, but I don’t think we’ll know until Sunday. We’ll see how he feels. If he can go, he’ll go, but we don’t want to put him out there — it’s early in the year — if he isn’t feeling his best.”

Fellow receiver Christian Kirk (groin) also is a game-time decision. Kirk missed last week’s game and Kingsbury said, “I wouldn’t say he’s 100 percent yet.”

Two-time Pro Bowler Budda Baker (thumb) and Chris Banjo (hamstring) will miss the game at a time when starter Jalen Thompson (ankle) remains sidelined, leaving the Cardinals without their top three safeties.

Others listed as questionable are cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (head), linebackers Dennis Gardeck (foot), Devon Kennard (calf) and Tanner Vallejo (illness) and offensive lineman Mason Cole (hamstring).

Also, the Cardinals signed reserve offensive tackle Justin Murray to a two-year extension through the 2022 season. Murray, 27, started 12 games at right tackle last season and also plays both guard spots.

–Field Level Media