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

Report: 36 percent of NBA referees in COVID-19 protocols

To account for absences, the NBA has used G League referees for matchups when needed.

Packers WRs Randall Cobb, Marquez Valdes-Scantling return to practice

The Packers are close to giving Aaron Rodgers a full assortment of weapons ahead of the upcoming postseason tournament.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield addresses alleged 'death threats' after Packers loss

Mayfield didn't seem too bothered about messages sent to him and his wife over the past week or so.

UEFA president: Biennial World Cup would 'cannibalize' women's soccer

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has long been an outspoken opponent of FIFA's proposal to hold a men's World Cup every two years.

NFL teams to honor John Madden with moment of silence before Week 17 games

Logic suggests the league will also honor Madden in some way at Super Bowl LVI in February. 

Patriots HC Bill Belichick on John Madden: 'Any time he spoke, I listened'

Belichick referred to Madden as a "good friend" who "affected multiple generations" among members of the football community. 

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin hopes to make season debut in 'maybe 10 days'

Such a timeline would have Malkin miss at least two more matchups ahead of road games at the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 6 and at the Dallas Stars on Jan. 8. 

ESPN's Dick Vitale taking break to rest voice on doctor's advice

Vitale announced he's temporarily stepping away from calling games, but the 82-year-old added fans shouldn't be too alarmed. 

Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio done for season with torn ACL

Rubio had become a key on-the-court contributor and locker-room leader for a young Cavaliers team seemingly ahead of schedule during its latest rebuild.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo 'confident' he can play through thumb injury

Garoppolo said he "definitely" feels he has a chance to start for this coming Sunday's game against the 4-11 Houston Texans. 

IIHF cancels World Junior Championship due to COVID-19 cases

The decision came after the Czech Republic and Russia were forced to forfeit contests due to COVID-19 cases. 

Nets' Kyrie Irving 'incredibly grateful' to be back at practice

The Nets play their next three games at home, so Irving cannot make his season debut until Brooklyn travels to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 5 at the earliest. 

Giants not shutting down Saquon Barkley despite woeful record, ankle setback

Giants head coach Joe Judge made it clear on Wednesday he doesn't feel any game is "meaningless" even with his club mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and Barkley echoed previous comments, saying he's not thinking about shutting things down before Week 18. 

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo could start vs. Texans despite thumb injury

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Garoppolo does not immediately require surgery to repair the issue.

Panthers bench QB Cam Newton in favor of Sam Darnold

Darnold enters the new year 30th among eligible quarterbacks with a 70.8 passer rating and 27th with a 35.4 total QBR.

Christian Eriksen unlikely to return to Tottenham Hotspur?

It's been thought Eriksen could eventually resume his professional career in England, his native Denmark or Holland with his ICD device if he can pass a club medical.

Vikings' Adam Thielen has season-ending surgery; Dalvin Cook off COVID-19 list

The 7-8 Minnesota Vikings mixed some good news with an unfortunate update on Wednesday as they prepare for the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" clash at the 12-3 Green Bay Packers. 

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson practices after missing two games with ankle injury

The once 8-3 Baltimore Ravens have dropped four straight games to fall to 8-7 and have been without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for their past two defeats because of the sprained right ankle he suffered during a loss at the Cleveland Browns back on Dec.

Broncos QB Drew Lock likely to start vs. Chargers

Thus far this season, Lock has connected on 37-of-62 attempts (59.7%) for 380 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a career-worst 69.3 passer rating.

Giants to play both Jake Fromm, Mike Glennon vs. Bears

The two quarterbacks will compete during practice sessions for the right to start that game under center, but both will play.

Nick Saban: '90 percent' of Alabama players vaccinated against COVID-19, have received boosters

Alabama got through the 2020 holiday season without significant COVID-19 issues at a time when vaccines weren't available to players.

No NFL players opt out amid relaxed COVID-19 testing protocols

"High-risk" players were afforded the opportunity to opt out of the remainder of the season but no one took advantage of the option.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians on Antonio Brown: 'History has changed'

Brown has 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns in five games this season. He's been out of action since first hurting his ankle on Oct. 14.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni 'confident' QB Jalen Hurts will start vs. Washington

Hurts missed the Eagles' previous game with an ankle injury.