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

Buccaneers Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen to miss at least 'a couple of months' with left knee injury

The news only gets worse as it pertains to the status of Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting center and 2021 Pro Bowl selection Ryan Jensen, who was carted off

Report: No ruling on Browns' Deshaun Watson coming this week

It appears everyone involved will have to wait until August to learn an update on the status of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

Mets reliever Drew Smith on 15-day IL with strained right lat muscle

The Mets have placed right-handed reliever Drew Smith on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Monday due to a strained lat muscle in his right side.

Buccaneers GM: 'It would be hard to turn down' Rob Gronkowski return despite signings

Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht admitted on Thursday that the figurative light is on for Gronkowski if he has second thoughts

Buccaneers Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen feared to have serious knee injury

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told reporters the club may not have a definitive diagnosis on Jensen's setback for a few days because of swelling. 

Lamar Jackson, Ravens 'motivated' to sign contract extension before 2022 NFL season

Lamar Jackson remains in the final year of his rookie contract and continues to serve as his own agent for negotiations.

Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz: 'This is where I want to be'

Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones insisted earlier this week that everyone involved wants tight end Dalton Schultz "to be a long-term"

49ers' Trey Lance: Jimmy Garoppolo 'helped me out with everything'

New 49ers starting QB Trey Lance confirmed during Thursday's media availability that he and Jimmy Garoppolo spoke inside the team's facility after the 22-year-old was officially named the club's starter. 

Steelers K Chris Boswell not 'worrying' about contract ahead of season

Boswell did say he hopes to remain with the Steelers because of his "love" for the franchise and city.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley out to prove 'guy that they drafted is still here'

The 25-year-old ball-carrier who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors spoke with media members Thursday about turning the figurative clock back.

Ben Roethlisberger 'a great resource' for Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett

Steelers rookie QB Pickett explained how recently-retired legend Ben Roethlisberger has vowed to be there whenever the first-year pro needs guidance as he begins his pro football career.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski: Deshaun Watson has 'really thrown himself into' work amid uncertainty

Watson reported for training camp ahead of last weekend and remains available to participate in practices alongside teammates until further notice.

Steelers facing 'tight deadline' to convert Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium

Regardless of opinions had by many passionate fans, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to move forward with transitioning what was formerly known as Heinz Field to Acrisure Stadium.

OC Mike Kafka will continue to call plays for Giants through training camp

It was learned back in May that New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll elected to have offensive coordinator Mike Kafka call plays during springtime practice.

Certain NFL players must wear Guardian Caps through second preseason game

Fans who attend NFL training camp sessions or see portions of practices on television or online this summer may notice certain players wearing what are known as Guardian Caps.

Rangers, Kaapo Kakko agree to two-year, $4.2M deal

Kakko was a restricted free agent after he recorded seven goals and 11 assists across 43 regular-season games for the Rangers in 2021-22.

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett: 'I know I have a long ways to go' to replace Ben Roethlisberger

The 24-year-old also is doing his best to avoid focusing on following in Big Ben's footsteps.

Giants sign LB Austin Calitro, waive fellow LB Justin Hilliard

It was learned back in June that New York Giants linebacker Justin Hilliard had been suspended without pay for the first two games of the 2022 NFL season

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to training, reportedly still wants to leave Manchester United

TalkSport transfer journalist Alex Crook did not dance around the issue during a Wednesday radio appearance when he bluntly said that "nobody" among the

DT Davon Godchaux signs two-year, $20.8M extension with Patriots

In his first season with the Patriots, Davon Godchaux recorded 65 total tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and five quarterback hits across 16 starts and 17 games.

Steelers' Mitchell Trubisky takes all first-team reps in practice

Free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky took all of the first-team reps over first-round draft selection Kenny Pickett and career backup Mason Rudolph on day one of training camp.

Penguins, Danton Heinen agree to one-year, $1M contract

Danton Heinen originally joined the Penguins last summer and had a solid debut campaign with the organization.

When to play Kenny Pickett over Mitchell Trubisky named 'biggest challenge' for Steelers

It was reported earlier this month that Mike Tomlin and company don't want to "rush" Kenny Pickett into action this fall against live first-team defenses, but it's expected that the rookie will see the field at some point if the Steelers aren't competing for a playoff berth.

QB Russell Wilson wants to be with Broncos 'for a long, long time'

Wilson made it clear he's committed to Denver beyond just a couple of campaigns. 

'Plan' is for ace Jacob deGrom to make next start for Mets

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that the "plan" is for Jacob deGrom to make his next start for the Mets.