Yardbarker

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

EXPERTISE:

NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, MLS, US Soccer, UFC

Insider shares recovery update on Mets' Edwin Diaz

The New York Mets will never know what Edwin Diaz would or wouldn't have been during the playoffs, but the hope is that the All-Star closer will be back to where he was roughly a year ago as soon as spring training. 

Jets' Robert Saleh responds to fiery Dalvin Cook comments

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh spoke with reporters Friday and responded to running back Dalvin Cook mentioning his "frustrating" amount of playing time ahead of this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Giants' Saquon Barkley again addresses future ahead of trade deadline

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen recently informed star running back Saquon Barkley they intend to keep him through this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Diamondbacks' Tommy Pham again questions Mets' drive, desire

Outfielder Tommy Pham will play in this year's World Series after he joined the Arizona Diamondbacks from the New York Mets ahead of the summer trade deadline and once again seemed to criticize the culture that hovered over his former club throughout the season.

Giants' Brian Daboll shares alarming Daniel Jones update

Both New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Daniel Jones previously insisted the neck injury Jones has been dealing with since Oct. 8 wouldn't prematurely end the 26-year-old's season.

Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa echoes Aaron Rodgers about 'Hard Knocks' assignment

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sounds less than thrilled his Miami Dolphins were selected for the in-season edition of the HBO "Hard Knocks" program. 

Cowboys' Dak Prescott sends another message to critics

A confident Dak Prescott declared ahead of this season that criticisms he'd heard would only "make it that much sweeter" when the Dallas Cowboys "win this thing." 

Giants DC talks how Jets' Zach Wilson is different from last season

Add Giants defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale to the list of people noticing a change in Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.

Jets' Dalvin Cook talks speculation ahead of trade deadline

New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook told reporters Thursday he hasn’t yet asked general manager Joe Douglas for a trade despite Cook's limited role in the team's offense.

What 49ers' Javon Hargrave is telling teammates amid skid

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is doing his best to keep the ship steady with his team looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

Why Giants' Saquon Barkley is extra motivated ahead of Jets game

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley was born in the Bronx and grew up a New York Jets fan but is looking forward to this Sunday's game against the Jets for a much different reason. 

Jets OC shares when Zach Wilson turned things around this season

New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett suggested Thursday that quarterback Zach Wilson turned a corner during the Week 4 23-20 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 1.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones expands on trade-deadline mindset

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones indicated earlier this week he won't actively pursue an aggressive move ahead of this coming Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Analysts name ways Panthers QB Bryce Young could improve

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is experiencing a rough start to his NFL career, but a couple of analysts mentioned ways he can improve.

Former coach addresses rise of Bears QB Tyson Bagent

Undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent impressed with the Shepherd University Rams long before he guided the Chicago Bears to an unexpected 30-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first NFL start this past Sunday. 

Why Giants may have to keep CB Adoree' Jackson through trade deadline

The New York Giants may not be able to shop veteran cornerback Adoree' Jackson even if they become sellers ahead of next Tuesday's trade deadline. 

Will Brewers' Craig Counsell wait for Mets to hire him?

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns received permission to interview Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell before Counsell's contract expires next Tuesday. 

Panthers' Frank Reich talks drafting Bryce Young over C.J. Stroud

Despite recent performance, head coach Frank Reich insists he has no regrets about the Carolina Panthers drafting quarterback Bryce Young first overall instead of C.J. Stroud.

Rob Gronkowski blasts Patriots over celebrating win vs. Bills

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski didn't love how current New England players celebrated this past Sunday's last-second 29-25 win over the Buffalo Bills that improved the Patriots to 2-5 on the season.

Giants' Daniel Jones addresses fears neck injury could end his season

Team doctors likely won't clear Jones to face a live defense until his symptoms "are completely gone."

49ers' Kyle Shanahan talks Sam Darnold confidence amid Brock Purdy uncertainty

San Francisco 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in backup QB Sam Darnold as the team prepares to potentially play Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals without starter Brock Purdy, who is currently working through the concussion protocol.

Eagles' Jalen Hurts pushes back against injury narrative

Jalen Hurts insists the injuries he's picked up over the past two seasons aren't related to his specific style of play.

49ers have a Purdy big worry ahead of Bengals game

Hot takes coming off back-to-back losses aside, the 49ers have a legitimate concern regarding quarterback Brock Purdy ahead of this coming Sunday's home game against the 3-3 Bengals. 

Bears QB Justin Fields reportedly has return date in mind

Chicago Bears starting quarterback Justin Fields seems on track to miss a second consecutive game because of a dislocated right thumb but intends to return to the lineup sooner rather than later. 

Falcons HC Arthur Smith shrugs off potential Bijan Robinson controversy

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith sounds unbothered about any potential controversy regarding the club not listing running back Bijan Robinson on the injury report ahead of this past Sunday's 16-13 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.