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

Doc Rivers 'assuming' Ben Simmons will play for 76ers but isn't certain

Rivers was hesitant to commit to Simmons making the trip to Detroit for Philadelphia's preseason finale. 

Raiders' Carl Nassib takes 'personal day' in wake of Jon Gruden resignation

Raiders DE Carl Nassib, the NFL's first openly gay player, reportedly took a personal day Wednesday in the wake of head coach Jon Gruden's resignation over a number of offensive emails that were leaked by the league.

James Harden, Steve Nash react to Kyrie Irving's banishment from Nets

Neither Nash or Harden has spoken to the All-Star point guard since Tuesday's developments.

Bears QB Justin Fields 'good' to play vs. Packers

Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields tweaked his knee in this past Sunday's 20-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Raiders owner Mark Davis on Jon Gruden: NFL has 'all the answers'

Davis' statement suggests he's annoyed at the NFL about the fact Gruden was seemingly singled out in the reports even though roughly 650,000 emails were recovered during the investigation.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow on 'voice rest' after throat scare

It's unclear if Burrow will face any restrictions yelling out plays or audibles in Detroit.

Dolphins HC Brian Flores: QB Tua Tagovailoa will 'hopefully play' vs. Jaguars in London

Tagovailoa practiced on Wednesday, one day after the Dolphins designated him to return off injured reserve.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin game-time decision for opener vs. Rangers

Ovechkin missed practice on Sunday and Monday but returned to the ice Tuesday for a brief skate.

LSU star CB Eli Ricks out with season-ending shoulder injury

Ricks tallied four interceptions as a freshman and had accumulated a single pick, 11 total tackles and one pass breakup this season before Wednesday's development.

Dolphins designate QB Tua Tagovailoa to return from IR ahead of Jaguars game in London

Brian Flores told reporters Monday that Tua Tagovailoa was improving from the fractured ribs he suffered in Week 2 and could be cleared to play in this Sunday's game against the winless Jaguars in London.

Buccaneers removing Jon Gruden from their Ring of Honor

The Buccaneers are distancing themselves from the coach who guided the franchise to a Super Bowl XXXVII win over the then-Oakland Raiders. 

Sixers not interested in Kyrie Irving?

Which player is the bigger potential headache?

Kirk Ferentz: Iowa fans 'smelled a rat' with PSU injuries

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he knows some defensive PSU players were legitimately injured but added he can understand the emotions felt by those who booed. 

Cardinals' Chandler Jones positive for COVID-19, status for Sunday in question

In total, he's also accumulated nine tackles, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 14 quarterback hits on the campaign. 

With Russell Wilson injured, Seahawks working out Blake Bortles

The 29-year-old last appeared in a meaningful game in 2019. 

Braves OF Jorge Soler tests positive for COVID-19, could return for NLCS

Outfielder Cristian Pache replaces Soler on the roster until Soler is cleared to return from the COVID-19 injured list.

FIFA president: Biennial World Cup no different than Super Bowl

The debate on increasing the frequency of the World Cup rages on.

Lions Pro Bowl C Frank Ragnow having season-ending toe surgery

The winless Detroit Lions continue to deliver mostly bad news to fans coming off five straight defeats to open what could become a lost season by Halloween.

Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire placed on IR with MCL sprain

The ball-carrier will be sidelined for a minimum of three games, per league rules, and will first be eligible to return for the Week 9 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 7.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin practices, questionable to play vs. Rangers

Ovechkin missed practice sessions on Sunday and Monday with an unspecified lower-body injury he suffered in this past Friday's preseason finale against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley won't name starting QB for TCU game

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched in favor of freshman Caleb Williams during the victory vs. rival Texas.

NFL selects three German cities as candidates for future games

The NFL announced Tuesday that Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich have been invited to join the "candidate phase" portion of the endeavor that will likely result in Germany hosting a contest at some point down the road.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert on reserve/COVID-19 list, could miss Buccaneers game

Goedert is vaccinated against the coronavirus, meaning he could be cleared to return to team activities if he produces two negative tests 24 hours apart and is asymptomatic for 48 hours, but he also missed practice Monday.

Veteran center Brian Boyle signs with Penguins on one-year, $750,000 deal

Boyle, 36, spent time with Pittsburgh on a professional tryout during training camp after he didn't play in the NHL last season.

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady: 'No serious injury' to thumb on throwing hand

Brady should be fine for Thursday's primetime matchup at the 2-3 Philadelphia Eagles, and he essentially confirmed as much while speaking with the media Tuesday.