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

Saints' Sean Payton not committed to starting QB Taysom Hill over Trevor Siemian vs. Cowboys?

Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters Tuesday he's not yet prepared to name his QB1 for Thursday night.

Devils signing star forward Jack Hughes to eight-year, $64M extension

The 20-year-old, who could've hit restricted free agency next summer, has a total of 20 goals and 35 assists in 119 career NHL regular-season games. 

Jaguars HC Urban Meyer: 'I'm not a candidate' for open Notre Dame job

For the second time this NFL season, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer has publicly stated he is not interested in making a return to the college ranks.

Bruins GM confirms forward Jake DeBrusk wants a trade

DeBrusk has three goals and three assists across 17 games this season but was a healthy scratch for this past Sunday's 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks

DeMarcus Cousins to make Bucks debut Wednesday vs. Hornets?

Cousins most recently averaged 8.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 41 total regular-season games with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers during the 2020-21 campaign. 

Steelers rookie TE Pat Freiermuth in concussion protocol

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that rookie and primary tight end Pat Freiermuth is in the concussion protocol because of a knock he suffered during Sunday's blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: 'It's put up and shut up time' after blowout loss to Bengals

Tomlin did say he could embrace a change-up such as a padded practice ahead of this coming Sunday's rivalry matchup with the first-place Baltimore Ravens (8-3).

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wouldn't miss a game after having toe surgery?

The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player hasn't completely ruled out going under the knife ahead of facing the Chicago Bears on Dec. 12.

Georgia State-Tennessee State basketball game canceled due to COVID-19, injuries

As of Tuesday, Georgia State said that this coming Saturday's contest at the 3-4 Mercer Bears remains on, as scheduled. Tennessee State plays at the 2-4 Chicago State Cougars that same day. 

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin not interested in making practices more 'fun'

Pittsburgh wide receiver Chase Claypool generated headlines coming off that result when he said adding music to midweek practice sessions could make them "more fun" for all involved.

Washington K Joey Slye out at least three weeks with hamstring injury

Slye suffered the setback pursuing Seattle's Rasheem Green after an extra-point attempt was blocked late in the game's first half.

Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon returning Wednesday vs. Maple Leafs

MacKinnon was sidelined leading the Avalanche with nine assists and tied for the team lead with 10 total points tallied across eight games.

Report: Jaguars HC Urban Meyer not interested in Notre Dame, college jobs

Meyer won three college national championships and holds an overall collegiate record of 187-32. He temporarily walked away from coaching entirely after the 2018 college season but accepted the Jacksonville gig in January.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey 'devastated' over season-ending ankle injury

McCaffrey becomes a spectator after recording 442 rushing yards and a touchdown on 99 carries with 37 catches for 343 yards and another score in just seven contests this season.

Bucs' Bruce Arians: 'Home-field advantage in the playoffs is a huge, huge advantage'

As things stand today, the Buccaneers would be the No. 3 seed in the NFC postseason tournament.

Titans place safety Kevin Byard on COVID-19 list

Thus far this season, Byard has recorded 64 total tackles, five interceptions, one pick-six, 12 pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He joins Titans backup quarterback Logan Woodside and practice squad tight end Austin Fort on the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

Vikings' Mike Zimmer says RB Dalvin Cook is 'day-to-day' with shoulder injury

It was reported earlier in the day that Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook would likely be out a couple of weeks with a dislocated shoulder

Bruins' Brad Marchand suspended three games for slew-footing Canucks' Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand took Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson down in the first period of Sunday's game that Boston won 3-2

Cowboys DT Trysten Hill suspended two games for punching Raiders OL John Simpson

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Trysten Hill likely won't forget the Thanksgiving Day overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but not because of anything that happened during the game. 

Vikings place CB Patrick Peterson on COVID-19 list

He spent the previous 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Evgeni Malkin skates with Penguins for first time since offseason knee surgery

Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin skated with teammates for the first time Monday ahead of their Monday evening matchup at the Calgary Flames. 

Saints to start Taysom Hill over Trevor Siemian vs. Cowboys?

Versatile offensive weapon Taysom Hill is receiving first-team practice reps and is on track to start when the Saints host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. 

Steelers place All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt on COVID-19 list

The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped to 5-5-1 on the season via Sunday's blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and delivered bad news to fans on Monday afternoon. 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers not having surgery on injured toe 'at this time'

Rodgers will continue to try to play through the painful ailment.

Nets' Joe Harris to undergo ankle surgery, out four to eight weeks

Harris has been out of the lineup since he injured his left ankle in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 14, missing six consecutive games.