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

Wild's Ryan Hartman fined $4,250 for slew-footing Lightning's Ross Colton

Some will say that Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman got away with a slap-on-the-wrist punishment for an infraction worthy of a suspension.

England manager Gareth Southgate signs extension through 2024

Southgate was earning £3 million per year before Monday's development, but his new deal is worth approximately £5 million annually and also includes performance clauses and bonuses following the team's successes under his guidance over the past five years.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) practices, to start vs. Bears

Jackson was back on the practice field Friday and carries no injury designation, meaning he's on track to start when the 6-3 Ravens play at the 3-6 Chicago Bears. 

Senators-Devils rescheduled for Dec. 6 after Ottawa COVID-19 outbreak

The Senators will have plenty of ground to make up once they're back in action, as they began Friday night at 4-10-1 and in dead last in the Atlantic Division standings.

Sharks' Kevin Labanc banned one game for slew-footing Blues' Tyler Bozak

Labanc is not a repeat offender, but Bozak's proximity to the boards at the time of the incident left the league little choice but to act. 

Seahawks RB Chris Carson to have season-ending neck surgery

Alex Collins has emerged as Seattle's leading ball-carrier in Carson's absence with 345 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground on 84 attempts. 

Report: Cowboys WR Amari Cooper positive for COVID-19 as unvaccinated player, out two games

Cooper must isolate away from team activities for a minimum of 10 days, which makes him ineligible to return in time to participate in the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Packers' Aaron Rodgers (toe) practices, will play vs. Vikings

Rodgers practiced Friday and is on track to start for the 8-2 Packers at Minnesota. 

Report: Buccaneers' Antonio Brown obtained alleged fake COVID-19 vaccine card from teammate

Faking or doctoring a COVID-19 vaccination card is a federal criminal offense and also violates the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin tests positive for COVID-19

Montreal confirmed Friday that general manager Marc Bergevin has tested positive for COVID-19 and, thus, will enter the NHL coronavirus-related protocol. 

Steelers' T.J. Watt, Joe Haden, Minkah Fitzpatrick ruled out vs. Chargers

All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt and veteran cornerback Joe Haden all won't play this weekend.

Lions QB Tim Boyle 'ready to go' ahead of Sunday's tilt vs. Browns

Thus far, Boyle has thrown only four total passes in meaningful NFL games. He completed three of those attempts for 15 yards but could find himself starting a second straight contest.

Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown (hamstring) out Friday vs. Lakers

The Celtics have confirmed that All-Star guard Jaylen Brown will remain out through at least Friday because of the hamstring strain that cost him the previous six games.

Pelicans guard Didi Louzada suspended 25 games for violating anti-drug program

The Association said Louzada tested positive for drostanolone and testosterone.

Bears All-Pro LB Khalil Mack having season-ending foot surgery

Chicago Bears All-Pro pass-rusher Khalil Mack hasn't played since Oct. 24 because of a lingering foot injury that reportedly first began bothering him early into the season.

Panthers HC Matt Rhule: QB Cam Newton to start vs. Washington

Rhule added backup P.J. Walker could also get snaps against Washington. 

Browns QB Baker Mayfield, RB Nick Chubb to start vs. Lions

For better or for worse, the Cleveland Browns will have their "beat up" starting quarterback in the lineup for Sunday's home game against the winless Detroit Lions, and he'll have his Pro Bowl back with him.

Guardians rebrand begins with new merchandise, store sign malfunction

What began as a snowy morning in downtown Cleveland took an inauspicious turn after fans entered the Progressive Field shop as a newly branded store sign crashed to the ground.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (finger) full participant in practice

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed two straight starts and was limited in practice on Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game at the New York Jets because of the fracture in the middle finger on his throwing hand. 

Buccaneers, NFL respond to allegation that WR Antonio Brown used fake COVID-19 vaccination card

A recent report says star wide receiver Antonio Brown allegedly used a fake COVID-19 vaccination card so he would be in compliance with NFL health and safety protocols.

Colts HC Frank Reich wants increased workload for star RB Jonathan Taylor

Colts head coach Frank Reich admitted he wants his key playmaker even more involved in the offense moving forward.

Steelers QB Mason Rudolph preparing as if Ben Roethlisberger won't clear COVID-19 protocols

Roethlisberger might be eligible to return for the upcoming matchup at the Chargers, but Rudolph is understandably acting as if he'll be QB1 again. 

Report: Buccaneers say there's 'no evidence' WR Antonio Brown used fake COVID-19 vaccination card

Tampa Bay star wide receiver Antonio Brown allegedly utilized a fake COVID-19 vaccination card, but the Buccaneers are standing behind their player.

Cavaliers' Kevin Love details tough battle with COVID-19

The Cleveland Cavaliers remain one of the more positive surprises, to date, of the 2021-22 NBA season but lost a key contributor when forward Kevin Love entered the league's health and safety protocols back on Nov. 1.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault to miss at least three games for birth of child

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has a pretty solid reason for missing at least the next three games of the 2021-22 NBA season.