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

Bruins' Brad Marchand expected to play Thursday at Kraken

Brad Marchand was dealing with a "personal family matter" earlier in the day and is expected to rejoin the Bruins Thursday morning. This, presumably, will make him available to take the ice in Seattle. 

MLB games will be canceled, season shortened if lockout goes past Monday

MLB owners confirmed that the lack of an agreement by the end of Monday will result in the cancellation of regular-season contests that won't be rescheduled.

Bengals star safety Jessie Bates wants to avoid franchise tag

Cincinnati can retain Bates' rights through 2022 via the franchise tag, but he wants no part of that. 

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst says he never promised to trade Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers hasn't yet announced a final decision on his future.

Nets' Kyrie Irving 'excited' relaxed vaccine rules could allow him to play home games

Nets coach Steve Nash made it clear Irving is looking forward to playing in front of home fans. 

Browns raising ticket prices despite disappointing season

Despite the Browns' inability to reach any of their preseason goals, they announced Wednesday they're raising ticket prices for 2022. 

Cavaliers' Lauri Markkanen could return Thursday at Pistons?

Markkanen has been sidelined since he went down with a high-ankle sprain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 22 and missed 11 consecutive contests before the All-Star break. 

HC Ron Rivera: Commanders 'have a lot to offer' a franchise QB

Rivera compared Washington's current situation to what the Bucs went through in 2020 and the Rams experienced this past season after those franchises made big moves for proven quarterbacks. 

Report: Interest in 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo 'lukewarm'

Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier this month Garoppolo could stay above Lance on the depth chart so all involved could run it back for one more shot at a title, and Wednesday's developments suggest Shanahan wasn't merely being polite at that time.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst: 'Very doubtful' he'll take trade calls about QB Jordan Love

As the Packers navigate another round of Aaron Rodgers drama they don't appear interested in trading backup QB Jordan Love. 

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon out vs. Red Wings with lower-body injury

Colorado Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon continues to be in headlines for reasons other than highlight-reel offensive plays.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst: 'No deadlines' for Aaron Rodgers decision but 'the earlier the better'

Rodgers was named NFL MVP for the fourth time of his Hall of Fame career shortly before Super Bowl LVI, and both he and others have said his relationship with Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is in a much better place.

Novak Djokovic wins second match of 2022

Djokovic prevailed 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to book a spot in the tournament's quarterfinal round, where he will face Jiri Vesely.

Report: 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo 'not a lock' to be traded this offseason

The expectation was that the 49ers would hand the reigns to Trey Lance in 2022. 

Texans' Lovie Smith: Davis Mills is 'our quarterback going into the season'

Mills received a vote of confidence from new coach Lovie Smith. 

Report: Wembley Stadium unlikely to host Champions League final if moved from Russia

UEFA may look for an alternate site amid growing tensions in Russia. 

Former Bengals, Titans DE Amani Bledsoe suspended six games for PED violation

Defensive end Amani Bledsoe is currently unattached and won't be available for a portion of the 2022 season if he puts pen to paper on a contract with a team before September. 

Dolphins: We didn't ask former coach Brian Flores to sign NDA

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross could potentially be voted out of the league by other owners if the inquiry proves he legitimately offered Flores bonus money to purposely lose games to help Miami's draft position at any point. 

Brian Flores hasn’t spoken to Bill Belichick since texting controversy

Brian Flores spent over a decade with the Patriots earlier in his career and added during his latest interview that he didn't "talk to anyone from New England" before he joined the Steelers. 

Alex Smith: 49ers handled Jimmy Garoppolo-Trey Lance situation 'really well'

To their credit, both Garoppolo and Lance publicly said only positive things about their working relationship throughout the process.

Broncos OC Justin Outten wants to see how QB Drew Lock 'fits in this system'

If the Broncos had to play a game today, 2019 second-round pick Drew Lock would probably begin that contest under center.

Brian Flores 'left millions of dollars on the table' by not signing Dolphins' NDA

Flores has alleged Dolphins owner Stephen Ross of offering him $100,000 per contest to tank games during the 2019 season.

Colin Cowherd: Tom Brady ending retirement to join 49ers 'makes no sense'

The NFL community seemingly cannot go a single day without somebody linking technically still Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady with a move to the San Francisco 49ers at some point this year.

Commanders update crest for championship titles

In the end, this seems to be a "no harm, no foul" matter. 

Mitchell Trubisky wants to be starting QB again in 2022

Trubisky spent the 2021 campaign as Buffalo's QB2 behind Josh Allen but is less than a month away from being out of contract.