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

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.

Penguins star Evgeni Malkin to make season debut Tuesday vs. Ducks

Malkin underwent knee surgery June 4 to repair an injury he initially suffered last March, and it was said at the time that he would miss at least the first two months of the 2021-22 campaign while rehabbing.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow ready for playoffs after sitting out Week 18 with sore knee

Burrow and others who took no contact on the second Sunday of January should be rested heading into the weekend to face a Raiders side that beat the Los Angeles Chargers in overtime late Sunday night.

Washington HC Ron Rivera: 'Nothing is out of the question' at QB position

Rivera added he's open to drafting and then starting a rookie at QB, but rumors continue to hint that Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo are among proven commodities who could be available via trades.

Browns appear inclined to play Baker Mayfield next season on fifth-year option

It seems one can barely read or hear anything about the Cleveland Browns during the opening days of their offseason without at least thinking about the club's quarterback situation.  Baker Mayfield, the No.

Shane Lowry on playing in Saudi Arabia: 'I'm happy to earn my living going there'

The tournament, scheduled to take place from Feb. 3-6, has generated criticism for allegedly attempting to "sportswash" the country's human rights record.

U.S. Open champ Emma Raducanu suffers lopsided Sydney Tennis Classic loss

Raducanu fell to Elena Rybakina 0-6, 1-6 in her opening match of the Sydney Tennis Classic that took just 55 minutes to complete on Tuesday.

GM: Browns 'fully expect' Baker Mayfield to be starting QB in 2022

It seems everyone directly involved with the situation wants the public to understand there's no quarterback controversy within the Cleveland Browns early into the offseason. 

Anthony Lynn won't return as Lions offensive coordinator

Former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn joined the Detroit Lions last offseason to serve as offensive coordinator under first-year coach Dan Campbell, but things quickly went south for all involved during the fall.

Seahawks backup QB Geno Smith arrested on suspicion of DUI

This season, Smith completed 65 of 95 passes for 702 yards with five touchdowns and one interception filling in for the one-time Super Bowl champion. 

Penguins star Evgeni Malkin game-time decision Tuesday at Ducks

Back in late December, Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin suggested that he could make his season debut during the club's current road trip.

Giants HC Joe Judge has job 'for now,' wants say in GM search?

It remains unclear if Giants ownership would force a marriage between Judge and a GM or allow that executive to make a final call on Big Blue's coaching staff at some point down the road this winter. 

Blue Jackets suspend Gregory Hofmann after excused absence

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gregory Hofmann hasn't appeared on the ice for the club since Dec. 14 due to unspecified personal reasons.

Panthers GM not 'shopping' All-Pro Christian McCaffrey

Head coach Matt Rhule said one plan was to have McCaffrey feature more as a slot receiver before he was sidelined, first with a hamstring problem and later with an ankle injury.  

Kevin Stefanski 'fully expects' QB Baker Mayfield to 'bounce back' next season

The fifth-year option attached to Mayfield's contract carries a value of $18.858 million and theoretically attaches him to the Browns through next season.

Bryson DeChambeau out of Sony Open in Hawaii with sore wrist

According to Ryan Lavner of Golf Channel, DeChambeau likely won't compete again until the Saudi International, scheduled to take place from Feb. 3-6. He finished tied for 10th at the Sony in 2019.

Giants QB Daniel Jones doing 'good' recovering from neck injury

Jones added he "absolutely" will be cleared to participate in summer training camp activities. 

Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians: 'Travesty' if QB Tom Brady doesn't win MVP

Brady finished the regular season leading the league with his 485 completions, 719 attempts, 5,316 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson worried about 'getting back right,' not extension

Throughout 2021, neither Jackson nor the Ravens seemed concerned about negotiations or in any rush to sign an extension. It seems that's still the case on the first day of the team's offseason. 

Saints QB Taysom Hill expected to need surgeries for Lisfranc injury

Hill went down with a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during Sunday's campaign-closing victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

TE David Njoku wants to re-sign, spend career with Browns

Things can and often do change quickly in the NFL, and it appears that's the case regarding Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku.

QB Cam Newton wants to be with 'winning' team, play at 'high level'

Newton is set to hit free agency when the new NFL year opens in March and made it clear Monday he isn't considering walking away from the game. 

Browns teammates praise 'tough' QB Baker Mayfield

Running back Nick Chubb and offensive guard Wyatt Teller were among teammates who praised the signal-caller while speaking with media members on Monday.