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

Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns out at Nets with back injury

X-rays showed that Towns suffered no alarming back injury, but the 26-year-old has been ruled out for Friday's matchup at the 15-6 Brooklyn Nets

Wesley Matthews returning to Milwaukee Bucks

In a corresponding roster move, the Bucks are waiving Georgios Kalaitzakis. The second-round draft pick appeared in nine games this fall and averaged 1.8 points and 5.3 minutes. 

Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf week-to-week with lower-body injury

Going by just a seven-day timeline, Getzlaf is on track to miss at least three more games.

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy hopes to return from COVID-19 absence 'sooner than later'

Dallas sits atop the NFC East standings and holds three-game leads in the win column over both Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Oregon offers Mario Cristobal extension amid Miami links?

Cristobal is in his fourth full season in charge at Oregon and holds a 35–12 record during his tenure with the university.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon (hip) doubtful at Chiefs; Javonte Williams likely to be RB1

Williams is second on the Broncos this fall with 568 rushing yards and 117 carries, and he's second among Denver running backs with two touchdowns on the ground. 

Bruce Arians wants NFL to examine more COVID-19 vaccination statuses?

In reality, Arians has three specific people to blame for Thursday's developments.

Report: Saints QB Taysom Hill to avoid surgery, play through finger injury

Now the question is whether Hill remain under center or go back to a do-it-all weapon.

Bears QB Andy Dalton to start vs. Cardinals; Justin Fields likely out

Dalton started in Fields' place for the Thanksgiving Day game at the Detroit Lions and completed 24-of-39 passes for 317 yards with one touchdown and an interception in the 16-14 victory that improved the Bears to 4-7. 

Rams HC Sean McVay expects WR Odell Beckham Jr. to play vs. Jaguars

Beckham sat out Thursday's practice, and a report emerged earlier on Friday that OBJ's status for the Jacksonville clash was "up in the air" heading into the weekend.

Could Buccaneers cut Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards for violations of COVID-19 protocols?

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was visibly annoyed to find himself discussing the subject Friday ahead of Sunday's matchup at the Atlanta Falcons. 

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts questionable vs. Jets with ankle injury

Backup Gardner Minshew will start if Hurts can't play but won't be able to make up for what Philadelphia would lose in its rushing attack against Gang Green.

Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook out vs. Lions with injured shoulder

Initial reports claimed Cook was dealing with a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum that would keep him out for at least two contests.

Saints QB Taysom Hill may have torn tendon in finger on throwing hand

Logic suggests head coach Sean Payton will look to get Trevor Siemian ready for the Week 14 matchup at the New York Jets on Dec. 12.

Giants QB Daniel Jones out vs. Dolphins with neck injury; Mike Glennon to start

Glennon took the field when Jones suffered a concussion in the Week 5 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 10 and completed 16-of-25 passes for 196 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Raiders WR DeSean Jackson calls calf injury 'just a spasm'

Las Vegas Raiders veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a calf injury and sat out Thursday's session, but he doesn't seem overly concerned. 

Lakers' LeBron James clears health and safety protocols, can play Friday vs. Clippers

James has produced eight negative virus tests since he returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Report: Buccaneers' Antonio Brown, other suspended players now vaccinated against COVID-19

All three players who were punished by the NFL are now reportedly vaccinated. 

Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in concussion protocol, out indefinitely

The Thunder will be without Gilgeous-Alexander for an undetermined amount of time.

Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy: Hand the ball to the ref to avoid taunting penalties

Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy spoke Thursday about how players and can avoid taunting penalties moving forward. 

Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) activated ahead of Saints game

Dallas elevated star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's prime-time clash with the Saints. 

Buccaneers' Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards suspended three games for misrepresenting COVID-19 vaccination status

Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards and John Franklin III have been suspended three games without pay for misrepresenting their vaccination statuses. 

Raiders WR DeSean Jackson likely to play vs. Washington despite 'minor' calf issue?

Jackson was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday because of a calf injury and wasn't spotted during the portion of Thursday's session open to media members.

Bucks' Brook Lopez out indefinitely after back surgery

Lopez tallied eight points, five rebounds, three blocks and a steal in his one and only appearance, to date, this season. He averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 2020-21. 

Mike Houston signs extension through 2026 with East Carolina

Houston joined East Carolina in December 2018 and holds an overall record of 14-19 during his tenure.