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

Avalanche All-Star Nathan MacKinnon out at least three games with facial fracture, concussion

MacKinnon was voted Central Division captain for the All-Star Game, and his status for the exhibition was unclear as of Friday afternoon.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: 'I haven't talked to' Sean Payton since Saints departure

Jones could revisit the topic if he's unhappy with McCarthy as soon as next fall, but those thinking the Cowboys would trade for Payton before the new league year opens in March were incorrect.

Rams' Aaron Donald: 'Only thing' missing from HOF résumé is Super Bowl win

The Los Angeles Rams and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald last played for the NFL championship in Super Bowl LIII, where they fell to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Penguins want to re-sign key vets Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust

Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall told reporters he wants to lock forwards Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust down on new deals, along with defenseman Kris Letang.

Guardians confirm Progressive Field lease extension

The newly named Cleveland Guardians are staying put for the foreseeable future.

Report: Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon has broken nose after brutal hit

MacKinnon has been diagnosed with a broken nose and is still being evaluated by team doctors to determine how long he'll be out of action.

Lakers star LeBron James out vs. 76ers with sore knee

The Lakers will be at the Charlotte Hornets on Friday evening, and James' status for that game may not be known until late in the afternoon.

49ers All-Pro TE George Kittle has 'gotten healthier' ahead of Rams game

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Thursday that Kittle had a rough end to the regular season but has "gotten healthier than how he finished versus the Rams" in Week 18.

Report: Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy safe for 2022 season

Mike McCarthy has been assured he will remain Dallas head coach through at least the start of the 2022 NFL regular season.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan: Jimmy Garoppolo 'is one of the main reasons we’re here'

The lackluster play of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has become quite a hot and controversial topic this week as Garoppolo and company prepare to face the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Nick Holden staying with Senators on one-year, $1.3 million deal

Holden won't test free agency this offseason.

Rams DC Raheem Morris: 'We want to win for Aaron Donald'

Donald doesn't yet have a Super Bowl title on his resume, and Morris made it clear Thursday he's keen on changing that next month. 

49ers' Kyle Shanahan: Idea he's in Sean McVay's head is 'ridiculous'

The 49ers' recent success against the Rams has led to plenty of theorizing about the head coaches heading into the NFC Championship Game. 

Report: Revolution, USMNT GK Matt Turner to join Arsenal this summer

Reports surfaced last week that Premier League club Arsenal had put in a bid for New England Revolution and United States Men's National Team goalkeeper Matt Turner.  It appears an agreement is imminent.

John McEnroe questions Emma Raducanu changing coaches after U.S. Open win

Raducanu surprisingly parted ways with coach Andrew Richardson so she could instead work with somebody more experienced with Grand Slams and other important tournaments.

Penguins HC Mike Sullivan: Jeff Carter contract 'a win-win all around'

Carter's new deal shows the Penguins aren't yet embracing a rebuild and also suggests the club may be close to putting pen to paper on a new deal with future Hall of Famer Evgeni Malkin.

Senators' Drake Batherson out 'a couple months' after hit from Sabres' Aaron Dell

Batherson's breakout season will be interrupted in a big way.

Sean Payton doesn't think he's 'finished coaching' but won't take jobs 'right now'

Payton expressed his desire to work in television in the immediate future.

Bills GM Brandon Beane campaigns for change to overtime rules after loss to Chiefs

Much of the NFL community is still discussing Sunday's overtime playoff game for the ages between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.

Sean McVay: 49ers not in Rams' heads despite losing streak

It was earlier this month when Los Angeles Rams star cornerback Jalen Ramsey insisted the San Francisco 49ers had no "mind control over us" despite San Francisco's recent dominance in the rivalry between the teams.

Fans charged with using fake COVID-19 vaccine cards to attend Bills' home playoff game

The fans could face up to seven years in prison if they are convicted. 

Sabres goaltender Aaron Dell suspended three games for hit on Senators' Drake Batherson

Dell's three-game ban will begin with Saturday's matchup at the Arizona Coyotes. 

Fred Warner: 49ers trust Jimmy Garoppolo 'because we keep winning'

Fred Warner made it clear he and his teammates don't want to hear anything about Garoppolo potentially being a negative for the club ahead of the weekend.

Hornets' Gordon Hayward in health and safety protocols, out vs. Pacers

Hayward begins the evening fourth on the Hornets in scoring with 17.0 points per game.

Jeff Carter signs two-year, $6.25 million deal to stay with Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins originally acquired veteran forward Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings before the trade deadline last April, and that experiment has gone well for player and club. So much so that they are extending the agreement.