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' Trey Lance: 'It's not my job to care' what reporters, fans say

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is about to enter his second NFL season and will likely officially be named the team's new starter at some point this summer.

Charlotte FC fires Miguel Angel Ramirez as head coach

Assistant coach Christian Lattanzio was promoted to the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign.

Texans HC Lovie Smith on Deshaun Watson: 'Sometimes divorce is good'

While Smith didn't get into details about the allegations made against Watson, he added that both sides simply needed to go in different directions. 

Jerry Jones: CeeDee Lamb is an upgrade over Amari Cooper

Jones remarked that Lamb "has the makings of more a complete No. 1 receiver in 'production, in the huddle and off the field.'"

Reds' Tommy Pham, Giants' Joc Pederson involved in pregame altercation

Players from both teams ran out to left field upon realizing an unpleasant exchange had occurred. No punches were thrown. 

Giants manager Gabe Kapler to skip playings of national anthem after Texas shooting

"I don’t plan on coming out for the anthem going forward until I feel better about the direction of our country," Kapler explained.

Mets' Travis Jankowski out six to eight weeks after hand surgery

While Jankowski currently has a 10-day IL designation, he underwent a procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks of action. 

Vikings CB Kris Boyd starts fundraiser for families of Uvalde shooting victims

Boyd has launched a GoFundMe page to hopefully raise at least $100,000 to benefit families directly impacted by America's latest gun-related tragedy. 

Browns reportedly sign TE David Njoku to four-year, $56.75 million extension

Njoku failed to impress throughout the 2021 season and ended the year with 36 receptions for 475 yards and four touchdowns. Clearly, the Browns expect the 25-year-old to thrive under Deshaun Watson.

Giants' Gabe Kapler pens heartfelt message in wake of Texas shooting

Giants manager Gabe Kapler took to his personal website to share his feelings on the nation's latest gun-related tragedy. "I am not OK with the state of this country," Kapler said.

Saints' Tyrann Mathieu: Attending OTAs 'a big positive'

"Just being around teammates, being around the coaches, getting in the playbook," Mathieu remarked.

49ers' Trey Lance reportedly has 'best practice of the offseason'

Time will tell if 2021 rookie Trey Lance is the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback of the near future, as in for Week 1 of the upcoming season.

Warren Moon: Raiders could use Colin Kaepernick like Cam Newton, Tim Tebow

Arguably the biggest NFL quarterback news of the week had to do with somebody who last took a meaningful snap in the league during the 2016 season.

Vikings QB Kellen Mond: Coaching change a good thing for career

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer surprised many in late 2021 when he announced that unproven backup Sean Mannion would start over rookie Kellen Mond for Week 17. That decision became more noteworthy, though, when Zimmer later explain his responded.

Falcons QB Marcus Mariota 'hungry' to start, will mentor Desmond Ridder

Current Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Marcus Mariota is in somewhat of a difficult spot this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly make Neymar available for this summer

Kylian Mbappe's decision could lead to one noteworthy change to the squad regarding his fellow superstar teammate Neymar before next season. 

Ravens' Lamar Jackson responds to criticism over missing OTAs

Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson has been absent from the club's voluntary organized team activities and is on track to play later this coming season on the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract.

Antonio Conte reportedly remaining at Tottenham following cash injection

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have enjoyed quite a successful week.  

Report: Two teams were interested in Colin Kaepernick before Raiders workout

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote that "a source with knowledge of the situation" said two teams other than the Raiders were "showing interest in Kaepernick" before his latest workout.

Saints' Jameis Winston: 'Everything is going great' in recovery from knee injury

Winston sounds optimistic regarding his recovery from the torn ACL and damage to his MCL he suffered last Halloween.

Josh McDaniels: Derek Carr knows Raiders are 'his' despite Colin Kaepernick workout

"Nah, I mean, I think Derek's pretty comfortable with where he's at," McDaniels remarked.

HC Arthur Smith: Falcons not looking for Marcus Mariota to be Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning

Arthur Smith made it clear he's not asking Mariota to follow in the footsteps of Ryan.

Mets' Tylor Megill has 'relatively mild' tendinitis, could return in early June

It appears Megill could be back in the rotation sooner than some feared. 

Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson cleared to return without any restrictions

It's still far too early to say when Williamson will again face a live defense in a meaningful game, but the Pelicans released a promising update on Thursday afternoon. 

Raiders HC Josh McDaniels declines comment on Colin Kaepernick

Reports indicated the Raiders liked what they saw from Kaepernick, but McDaniels gave a non-answer on the situation.