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

Hideki Matsuyama hopes to defend Masters title despite neck, shoulder pain

He withdrew from the second round of last weekend's Valero Texas Open with neck and shoulder pain.

New Mets ace Max Scherzer hopes to pitch Friday vs. Nationals

Scherzer spent over six full seasons with the Nationals and helped them win the 2019 World Series before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer.

Blake Bortles to be granted release by Saints to seek better backup opportunity

Bortles fell down the depth chart after New Orleans acquired Dalton and noted the 29-year-old wants "a better opportunity to be a No. 2 quarterback elsewhere."

Rob Gronkowski 'not ready to commit to the game of football right now'

Future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski raised eyebrows in mid-March when he was caught on camera saying there was "a very good chance" he would re-sign with the Buccaneers for at least one more season.

Former Titans LB Rashaan Evans signs one-year deal with Falcons

Evans won't be returning to Tennessee but will nevertheless find himself working with familiar faces later this year. 

Saints sign former first-round pick Taco Charlton

The New Orleans Saints needed help for their pass-rush and decided to take a flier on a former first-round draft pick who has yet to play to the value of that selection.

RB Darrel Williams visits with Cardinals

Williams first entered the NFL when he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2018 and proved to be quite a bargain for the club throughout his first four pro seasons.

Mets ace Jacob deGrom likely out until 'early to mid-June' due to stress reaction in scapula?

The New York Mets delivered bad news for fans ahead of this past weekend when they announced Friday that ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom was essentially being shut down for at least four weeks with a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder.

Jets' Kyle Connor, Nate Schmidt expected to return from COVID-19 absences Wednesday vs. Red Wings

The Winnipeg Jets were hit with a harsh blow last Wednesday when forward Kyle Connor and defenseman Nate Schmidt were put out of action for a total of three games due to the league's COVID-19 protocol. 

MLB announces special tributes for 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking color barrier

April 15 will be a historic day for MLB, as the league will commemorate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

WR Emmanuel Sanders: 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo is a 'natural-born winner'

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders caught passes thrown by Garoppolo during the 2019 regular season up through the Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and offered high praise for his former teammate during an appearance on NFL Network.

Cardinals star Albert Pujols announces divorce from wife of 22 years

The three-time National League Most Valuable Player revealed surprising news when he announced Monday that he and Deidre, his wife of 22 years, are splitting apart. 

Michael Irvin: Cowboys need 'will and togetherness' after losing 'skill'

Former NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin is rarely shy about letting the public know his true feelings about the Dallas Cowboys and that continued as Irving spoke about the team's offseason. 

Peyton Manning advising Russell Wilson after trade to Broncos

Manning has a pretty good idea about the transition Wilson is making this year.

Giants QB Daniel Jones on fifth-year option: 'We’ll see and we’ll take care of that'

Jones is focusing on what he can control as he faces an uncertain future with the Giants. 

Giants QB Daniel Jones: 'I'’ll be cleared and ready to go' after neck injury

Jones clearly isn't concerned about his health heading into workouts.

Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski to return from concussion Monday vs. Bruins

Werenski has missed three games with the concussion. 

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie will 'always regret' not drafting QB Russell Wilson

Philadelphia had Wilson targeted for its third-round pick in 2012, but Seattle nabbed him right before the Eagles.

Teams that win OT coin tosses can choose which end zone to defend in postseason

In such a scenario, the coin-toss loser would then choose whether to receive the football or kick it away.

Mets ace Max Scherzer should be 'OK for Opening Day' despite hamstring issue

Max Scherzer is dealing with some sort of hamstring issue, but the Mets believe he'll be "OK for Opening Day."

Cowboys raising ticket prices for 2022 NFL season

The per-game average ticket price for Cowboys home matchups is increasing in some instances by 20% compared to the 2021 season.

Jaguars HC Doug Pederson: TE Evan Engram can be QB's 'best friend'

Doug Pederson somewhat explained the decision to add Engram despite the tight end's past drops and injury issues.

Coyotes' Lawson Crouse likely done for rest of season with broken hand

Lawson Crouse suffered a broken hand when he blocked a shot and is expected to miss four weeks. Arizona has been eliminated from playoff contention, so that timeline should keep Crouse out through the rest of the season.

Maple Leafs goalie Jack Campbell to return, start Saturday at Flyers

It's a welcome boost for the Leafs as they jockey for playoff position.