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

NFL chief medical officer 'guardedly optimistic' COVID-19 won't drastically alter playoffs

Sills added that 94% of NFL players, coaches, and staff members are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Islanders' Ross Johnston suspended three games for hit on Devils' A.J. Greer

Johnston is not a repeat offender, but the fact that Greer suffered an injury as a result of the incident played a factor in the league's ruling.

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb) off injury report ahead of Cowboys game

Garoppolo was hardly perfect during last weekend's performance, as he completed 23-of-32 passes for 316 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions

John Lynch: 49ers 'more excited about' Trey Lance now 'than when we drafted him'

Lynch left no doubt the Niners are committed to Lance eventually sitting atop the depth chart. 

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz signs extension through 2029 season

Ferentz just completed his 23rd season in charge of the Hawkeyes and guided the program to a 10-4 record for the 2021 campaign. 

Fritz Pollard Alliance hits out at lack of Black NFL head coaches

After the Dolphins fired Brian Flores and the Texans parted ways with David Culley, Mike Tomlin of the Steelers stands alone as the NFL's only Black head coach.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid: 'I think this year' Eric Bieniemy becomes head coach

Bieniemy remains one of the most respected coordinators in the NFL and helped the Chiefs finish the 2021 season third in total yards (396.8) and fourth in points (28.2) per game.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin returns to practice, hopes to play Saturday vs. Islanders

Ovechkin missed Thursday's session due to an unspecified upper-body injury.

Texans GM Nick Caserio: No 'more clarity today' about status of Deshaun Watson

It's widely believed the NFL will either suspend Watson or place him on the commissioner's exempt list at some point even if his camp settles the lawsuits and he isn't formally charged.

GM Nick Caserio: David Culley helped put Texans 'in a lot better position'

The Houston Texans surprised many in the NFL world when they fired head coach David Culley on Thursday after he guided one of the worst overall rosters in the league to a 4-13 record.

Cavaliers hire former NBA guard Jose Calderon as special advisor to front office

Calderon spent 14 years as an active player and featured for the Cavs during the 2017-18 season as Cleveland completed a fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

Report: Jim Harbaugh hasn't 'officially' interviewed for NFL jobs yet

The college and NFL communities were surprised to learn earlier this month that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh could have "real" interest in returning to pro football.

Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies diagnosed with myocarditis after COVID-19 bout

Davies hasn't featured for the German giants since he contracted the coronavirus on Dec. 17.

Kings' Aisha Visram becomes first woman to work behind NHL bench

Visram is the head athletic trainer for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League but was called into duty in Los Angeles because the Kings were short-staffed due to COVID-19 issues.

Bucks HC Mike Budenholzer clears health and safety protocols

Budenholzer cleared the protocols in time to work Thursday's home matchup against the 30-10 Golden State Warriors. 

49ers' Mike McDaniel focused on Cowboys, not head coaching interviews

Mike McDaniel worked for the San Francisco 49ers as run game specialist in 2017 and then as run game coordinator the following three years until he was promoted to the role of offensive coordinator last January.

Rams' Matthew Stafford trolls Aaron Rodgers: 'I'll keep my toes to myself'

Matthew Stafford endured a toe injury in the Week 18 loss to the 49ers. Stafford had some fun at Rodgers' expense while discussing the setback.

Report: Super Bowl LVI staying in California despite COVID-19 concerns

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) now reports the league doesn't intend to relocate the championship contest over fears about possible pandemic-related attendance restrictions in California. 

Report: MLB against lowering service time for free agency amid lockout

League owners remain against lowering the service-time requirement for players to hit free agency and, ideally, cash-in on the open market.

Titans' Julio Jones: It's 'great' if defensive coordinators underestimate me

Tennessee Titans star wide receiver Julio Jones did not have the type of debut season with his current employer he likely envisioned after he earned seven Pro Bowl nods across his decade with the Atlanta Falcons.

Report: Cowboys WR Amari Cooper fined for COVID-19 violation

The NFL fined Cooper $14,650 for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by not wearing an approved face covering while attending a Dallas Mavericks game last week.

Cardinals' J.J. Watt 'very limited' in return to practice from shoulder injury

Watt hasn't played since he suffered a shoulder injury on Oct. 24 that required him to go under the knife for what was thought, at the time, to be a season-ending procedure.

Tom Brady didn't know some Eagles fans are still mad about Super Bowl LII post-game snub

The Eagles would love to give Brady another reason to storm off a sideline without first jogging toward the center of a field as the final seconds of a contest tick away.

Canadiens' Chris Wideman suspended one game for headbutting Bruins' Erik Haula

Wideman is not a repeat offender, which likely helped his cause in this matter. He loses $3,750, and that forfeited money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.