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

49ers' Christian McCaffrey confirms he wants to play vs. Chiefs

Earlier in the day, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan teased that McCaffrey could feature in a limited role for Sunday's matchup.

Patriots' Mac Jones wanted to be 'good mentor' for Bailey Zappe

Jones explained why he strongly embraced such a leadership role while he was sidelined with an ankle injury. 

HC Dennis Allen: No 'magic pill' to fix 2-5 Saints

It's widely expected that Jameis Winston will get the nod when the Saints host the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 30.

49ers' John Lynch on Christian McCaffrey: Injuries are 'beyond our control'

Lynch assured reporters Friday the 49ers considered McCaffrey's worrisome injury history before pulling the trigger on the blockbuster transaction.

Patriots' Bill Belichick won't say if Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe will start vs. Bears

Belichick is still taking the Patriots' QB situation "day-by-day."

Panthers GM: Team not 'tanking' despite Christian McCaffrey, Robbie Anderson trades

Carolina sent McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers late Thursday night in exchange for second, third, and fourth-round draft picks in 2023.

Guardians manager Terry Francona returning for 2023 season

Manager Terry Francona isn't quite ready to begin a chapter of his life outside of dugouts after he guided the 2022 Cleveland Guardians to the American League Central title.

Subway says it didn't pull Russell Wilson 'Dangerwich' over trolling, poor play

Michael Blinn of the New York Post suggested on Friday morning that Subway may have pulled its "Dangerwich" sandwich linked with Denver Broncos quarterback

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan: Christian McCaffrey 'not a rental'

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler called McCaffrey "a one-year rental on a cheap contract for San Francisco."

Simona Halep provisionally suspended for positive doping test at U.S. Open

She's ineligible to attend or compete in any sanctioned events while provisionally suspended.

Mets' Billy Eppler messaged MLB official about Joe Musgrove before substance check

MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post has provided some additional information about New York Mets manager Buck Showalter asking for San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove to be checked for illegal substances in the final game of the wild-card playoff series that the Mets lost on Oct.

Cowboys' Jerry Jones backs roughing the passer calls, protecting quarterbacks

Jones admitted owners and the league must avoid going "overboard" but believes protecting the QB is of the utmost importance to the game.

Mike Francesa: Yankees 'sound like losers' after ALCS loss to Astros

The Yankees had a lot of excuses ready after their Game 2 loss to the Astros put them in an 0-2 hole.

49ers' Kyle Shanahan teases Christian McCaffrey could play vs. Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan teased Friday morning that running back Christian McCaffrey could feature for his new club as soon as Sunday

Cowboys' Dak Prescott speaks about death of Mississippi State's Sam Westmoreland

Per Drew Weisholtz of NBC's Today, Westmoreland was found at Blackjack Missionary Baptist Church in Starkville, Miss., late Wednesday morning.

Giants' Daniel Jones 'would be lying' to say he never thinks about contract

Jones said he doesn't obsess over his future but also admitted he can't completely ignore the matter this fall. 

Patriots players reportedly believe in Mac Jones over Bailey Zappe

It was reported earlier in the day that Jones expects to be medically cleared to at least dress for Monday's matchup.

Giants WR Kadarius Toney claps back at critics: 'Why would I doubt myself?'

ESPN's Jordan Raanan noted Toney is "almost certainly going to miss" this Sunday's matchup at the 2-4 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buccaneers' Tom Brady responds to Ben Roethlisberger: Losing is 'not very fun'

Understandably, quarterback Tom Brady was asked Thursday about future Hall-of-Famer Ben Roethlisberger recently saying that "it didn't look like (Brady)

Penn State OC suggests Sean Clifford will remain starting QB over Drew Allar

Clifford is completing a career-worst 59.0% of his passes this season, and his 137.4 rating for the campaign is three-and-a-half points lower than his 140.9 career rating. 

Former WR James Jones blasts Ben Roethlisberger over Tom Brady comments

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently questioned if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is fully dedicated to the cause.

Jets WR Elijah Moore excused from practice days after controversial tweet

Moore raised eyebrows earlier this week when he used Twitter to seemingly complain about not seeing a single target during this past Sunday's victory at the Green Bay Packers.

Steelers' Chase Claypool 'was in the bathroom' for Mitchell Trubisky-Diontae Johnson incident

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool apparently missed the alleged "heated exchange" between teammates Mitchell Trubisky and Diontae Johnson.

Mets' Jacob deGrom no longer a fan-favorite?

For a survey shared by Tim Britton of The Athletic, only 3.8 percent of respondents named deGrom their favorite Mets player this fall.