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

Rob Gronkowski thought Tom Brady would take one year off before returning?

It appears Rob Gronkowski's indecisiveness about returning may have to do with the fact that Tom Brady caught him by surprise by re-joining the Buccaneers this spring. 

Notre Dame football to host Tennessee State, first-ever HBCU opponent, in 2023

The matchup will be a first for the Notre Dame program. 

Reds release OF Shogo Akiyama ahead of Opening Day

The club is moving on from Akiyama. 

Mets' Taijuan Walker leaves final spring training start with knee soreness

The Mets are already the walking wounded ahead of Thursday's Opening Day matchup at Nationals and now Walker left his final tune-up start with knee discomfort. 

Drew Brees: Saints offense 'set up for success' with Jameis Winston

Brees recently spoke at a public event and suggested he believes Winston can thrive playing under new head coach Dennis Allen and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.

Rangers' Ryan Strome expected to return Tuesday at Devils

The Rangers didn't need forward Ryan Strome on the ice to defeat the Penguins last Tuesday but have been without the 28-year-old for four straight games due to an unspecified lower-body injury he suffered on March 27. 

Seahawks TE Noah Fant believes Drew Lock has 'all the talent in the world' to be franchise QB

Noah Fant spoke with Seattle reporters on Tuesday and offered high praise for Drew Lock, who is currently atop the Seahawks depth chart ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Pitt's Kenny Pickett believes he'll be first QB taken in 2022 NFL Draft

Numerous experts expect that either Pickett or Malik Willis will be the first player at the sport's most important position to go off the board.

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.