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

Baker Mayfield out Thursday with torn labrum, could return Week 8 vs. Steelers

It's unclear if the result of Thursday's contest will at all impact how Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski handles Mayfield moving forward.

Report: Bears' Robert Quinn positive for COVID-19

The Chicago Bears fell to the rival Green Bay Packers 24-14 this past Sunday to drop to 3-3 on the season and then experienced a different type of setback on Tuesday.

Jets captain Blake Wheeler symptomatic with COVID-19, out at least four games

Per the terms for the 2021-22 NHL season, Wheeler must isolate for a minimum of 10 days, be declared free of symptoms, and receive the approval of a doctor before he can return to action. 

Jaguars' Dawuane Smoot helps wife deliver baby at home

Jacksonville DE Dawuane Smoot helped his wife deliver their second child early Tuesday morning inside of their home.

Giants place LT Andrew Thomas on IR with ankle injury

Thomas missed the Week 5 defeat at the Dallas Cowboys because of a foot issue. 

76ers All-Star Ben Simmons 'mentally checked out of Philadelphia'?

The Sixers have reportedly fined Simmons $1.4 million for the four preseason games he missed

Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee charged with DWI?

The 28-year-old, who spent the previous four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, posted a $2,500 bond and has been charged with a Class B misdemeanor.

Could Giants trade RB Saquon Barkley before Nov. 2 deadline?

The New York Giants predictably exercised the fifth-year option attached to the rookie contract for star running back Saquon Barkley this past spring, but plenty has gone wrong for both player and club since.

Clippers' Serge Ibaka out for season opener at Warriors

Ibaka underwent back surgery in June.

Broncos' Von Miller: 'I’m going to kill' the Browns tackle I'm facing

The Broncos have lost three straight entering their Thursday night matchup with Cleveland.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman: 'Shortstop is an area of need'

Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros, Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies star Trevor Story and Javier Baez of none other than the previously mentioned Mets are among big-name shortstops set to be available once to-be free agents can sign new contracts.

Mike Vrabel on Julio Jones' hamstring injury: Titans 'going to take it day by day'

Thus far in his first Titans campaign, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection has 15 catches for 263 yards with no touchdowns.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shoots down interest in LSU opening

Despite a somewhat down year in 2021, Swinney has prospered at Clemson and won two national titles with the ACC Tigers.

Titans LT Taylor Lewan tweets 'I’m alright' after 'MNF' injury scare

Lewan's status ahead of this coming Sunday's game against the 3-3 Kansas City Chiefs is understandably up in the air, but his tweet is a positive update.

Browns Pro Bowl RB Nick Chubb out Thursday vs. Broncos with calf injury

Unproven commodity D'Ernest Johnson, who has 11 yards on three carries this season, is on track to jump to the top of the depth chart at the position.

Baker Mayfield plans to face Broncos on Thursday despite shoulder injury

Backup Case Keenum remains available to fill in for Mayfield if Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski ultimately decides to protect his QB1 from himself.

Report: Seahawks not 'pursuing' Cam Newton with Russell Wilson sidelined

Pete Carroll admitted the team spoke with free agent and 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton about filling in for the injured Russell Wilson, but it now appears that no deal will be made to bring Newton to Seattle.

Giants HC Joe Judge: 'This is definitely going to get better'

Under Judge, the Giants have gone 7-15 in less than two full seasons and currently sit at 1-5 during what already looks and feels like a lost campaign.

Adam Silver: Nets' Kyrie Irving can't play because of New York, not NBA rules

The Nets have essentially banished Irving from team activities until he's eligible to be a full-time player who can participate in every game. As of Monday, there's no indication he plans on changing his mind and receiving one of the safe and available coronavirus vaccines. 

Sharks' Evander Kane banned 21 games for violating NHL's COVID-19 protocols

He will be eligible to return on Nov. 30 against the New Jersey Devils. 

Cowboys 'optimistic' Dak Prescott will play Week 8 vs. Vikings despite calf strain

It seems Monday's MRI confirmed Prescott's initial diagnosis that he'll be able to play against Minnesota a couple of weeks down the road. 

Urban Meyer: Jaguars' win over Dolphins similar to national championship victories

The Jaguars earned their first victory of the season and first under head coach Urban Meyer via Sunday's 23-20 win over the Dolphins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Browns list 20 players on injury report ahead of Broncos game

The Browns didn’t practice Monday and currently have 20 players on their injury report. 10 of those would have been non-participants had the club taken the practice field.

Ravens' John Harbaugh: Lamar Jackson critics are 'whistling in the graveyard'

The 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player who is a candidate to win this season's edition of that award.