Cam Akers ran hard for the Los Angeles Rams all night against the Arizona Cardinals, but his physicality resulted in a scary collision with Budda Baker late in the third quarter. Akers ran the ball off the left side on second-and-2, picking up 11 yards.
He lowered his shoulder into Baker at the end of the run, which left the Cardinals safety almost motionless on the field. Trainers attended to Baker immediately and he was eventually stretchered off the field, being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Akers was seen making a motion toward Baker after the play when returning to the huddle, which Cardinals players took exception to.
Budda Baker was tended to on the field after this scary collision with Cam Akers.
He was stretchered off the field 🙏 pic.twitter.com/W6EmzaHAEw
— ESPN (@espn) January 18, 2022
After the game, Akers clarified on Twitter that he didn’t know Baker was hurt. He sent prayers Baker’s way, wishing him well and saying he has nothing but respect for the star safety.
Prays up to Budda 🙏🏾 . I didn’t know he was hurt after the play but I have nothing but respect for him .
— Cam akers (@thereal_cam3) January 18, 2022
Akers also said during his postgame press conference that he hopes Akers is OK after the scary collision, which he called “just a football play.”
“It was just a football play. I have the utmost respect for Buddy. I hope he’s okay.” — Cam Akers on his collision with Budda Baker pic.twitter.com/w6MNqmW57N
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 18, 2022
Fortunately, Baker appears to be doing relatively well given the circumstances. He was alert and never lost any feeling or movement in his extremities, according to the Cardinals’ medical staff.
Hopefully he recovers quickly from what looked like a scary head injury.
More on Budda Baker:
Taken to hospital for further evaluation
Was alert & communicative
Never lost feeling or movement per medical staff
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) January 18, 2022
