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

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on Baker Mayfield: 'We work well together'

Both Mayfield and Stefanski have denied they're on different pages at this point of the process.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to continue playing until he's 42?

Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo turns 37 next month and leads the Premier League side with 14 goals across all competitions this season.

Penn State RB Noah Cain enters transfer portal

Cain is a native of Baton Rouge who was linked with the LSU Tigers for the 2019 class and could potentially complete a homecoming.

Report: Relationship between Dave Gettleman, Joe Judge 'started to deteriorate last season'

Outsiders assumed Gettleman and Judge were, at the very least, mostly in agreement regarding meaningful decisions. It appears, however, that may not be accurate. 

Raiders' Darren Waller: Battles with addiction made missing time harder

Current Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller endured multiple suspensions earlier in his career for violations of the NFL's substance-abuse policy and has since spoken openly about his battles with addiction.

Penguins' Jeff Carter: Evgeni Malkin 'didn't miss a beat' after long layoff

Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin couldn't have asked for a much better regular-season debut coming off the June knee surgery that cost him roughly three months of the campaign than what he enjoyed in Tuesday's dominant 4-1 victory at the Anaheim Ducks.

Cardinals' Kliff Kingsbury expects Kyler Murray to play 'best game of his career' at Rams

Kingsbury is confident in Murray as the quarterback makes his playoff debut. 

49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo: 'Sore' thumb is 'feeling great right now'

Garoppolo spoke with reporters Wednesday about the hurting digit as he and his teammates prepare for this coming Sunday's wild-card showdown at the Dallas Cowboys. 

Oilers superstar Connor McDavid on Evander Kane: 'Right now it's all speculation'

McDavid didn't go into detail about how adding the controversial Kane to the roster could impact an 18-14-2 Oilers side looking to right the figurative ship. 

Patriots' Bill Belichick on facing Bills a third time: 'We're starting from scratch'

This Saturday, the Patriots and Bills will play each other for the third time this season, and Bill Belichick expects to witness a unique encounter.

Cardinals star WR DeAndre Hopkins out vs. Rams due to knee injury

Hopkins hasn't taken the field since he suffered a knee injury against the Rams on Dec. 13 that ultimately required him to have surgery.

Cardinals' J.J. Watt on facing Rams: 'We'll make that decision as Monday comes closer'

One thing missing on Watt's Hall of Fame résumé is a Super Bowl appearance, let alone a championship ring, so it's a safe bet the five-time All-Pro would be willing to face the Rams at less than 100%.

Aaron Rodgers says fractured toe 'should be 100 percent by next week'

Rodgers has been playing through the injury since November but it sounds like he's feeling better. 

Giants co-owner John Mara: Each week 'got a little worse' at end of awful season

Mara admitted when asked that this is "the most embarrassed" he's felt about the state of the franchise.

Sabres sign Michael Houser amid goaltending crisis

The 10-19-6 Buffalo Sabres are going to their recent past to address what's become a legitimate goaltending crisis. 

Jurgen Klopp: 'I know' Mohamed Salah wants to stay with Liverpool

Salah is a beloved hero among the Liverpool faithful who helped the club win the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles

Falcons GM: Calvin Ridley situation 'really hasn't changed'

Ridley's season abruptly came to an end on October 31 when he announced he was stepping away from the team.

Report: Cavs GM Koby Altman extended through 2027-28

Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman agreed to a contract extension that will run through the 2027-2028 NBA season.

Buccaneers CB Richard Sherman back on IR, out through playoffs

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are to repeat as Super Bowl champions, they will have to do so without the services of veteran cornerback Richard Sherman.

Rams HC Sean McVay could be fined for end zone celebration of TD?

One of the most unexpected events of Week 18 of the NFL season occurred when Rams head coach Sean McVay curiously reacted to Tyler Higbee securing a TD reception by entering the end zone to celebrate with his players.

Report: Giants GM candidates wanted say in head coach decision

It's been reported that "most" general manager candidates contacted by the Giants asked if they were going to "have a chance to make a head coach decision" or if they would be married to former HC Joe Judge by ownership.

Giants fire head coach Joe Judge

The Giants now need a head coach and a general manager.

Islanders coach Barry Trotz, Ryan Pulock in COVID-19 protocol

The Islanders endured their own COVID-19 outbreak shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday and are scheduled to return to the ice via Thursday's home game versus the New Jersey Devils.

Lions GM: QB Jared Goff 'played really good football' late in season

By all accounts, Goff will be given the opportunity to continue to thrive under Matt Campbell next fall regardless of who is calling plays for the Lions at that time. 

Seahawks' Geno Smith driving 96 mph, across traffic lanes before DUI arrest?

Smith is on track to hit free agency when the new NFL year begins in March, and his status with the Seahawks was up in the air even before this latest development.