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

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.

Browns sticking with Baker Mayfield as starting QB despite injuries, poor play

Mayfield completed only 18-of-37 passes for 247 yards with a touchdown, no interceptions and a self-inflicted lost fumble in the defeat at Baltimore.

Browns place LS Charley Hughlett, FB Johnny Stanton IV on COVID-19 list

While it's fortunate Cleveland is on the bye, the team's coronavirus situation may be something to monitor moving forward.

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey out for season with ankle injury

Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will be a spectator for more games than he plays in for the second consecutive season.

Browns All-Pro OT Jack Conklin out for season with torn patellar tendon

Conklin generated concern when he initially attempted to walk off the field on his own power before his knee seemingly gave out.

Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook to miss time with dislocated shoulder, torn labrum

The 26-year-old could miss at least the next two games but may be available to face the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20. 

Panthers QB Sam Darnold resumes throwing, could be available after bye

The former New York Jets starter is 32nd among eligible quarterbacks with a 71.3 passer rating, 27th with a 35.6 total QBR and has matched seven touchdown passes with 11 interceptions during the campaign.

Vikings say Everson Griffen has exited home, is 'getting the care he needs'

The Minnesota Vikings have offered an encouraging update regarding troubled defensive end Everson Griffen.

Report: Bears chairman George McCaskey privately refutes Matt Nagy will be fired after Thanksgiving game

McCaskey hasn't yet gone so far as to publicly declare he's not relieving Nagy of his duties before the regular-season finale on Jan. 9.

Lions QB Jared Goff questionable to face Bears Thursday

If Goff sits Thursday, he'll work to get right for the Week 13 matchup versus the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 5. 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has fracture, not 'COVID toe' condition

Rodgers said he was "joking" when he told McAfee he had "COVID toe" coming off his bout with the virus.

Did Titans QB Ryan Tannehill avoid COVID-19 list by being vaccinated?

A five-day absence could've knocked Tannehill out of the Patriots game before Thanksgiving, but that's something he doesn't have to worry about unless he tests positive for the virus ahead of the weekend. 

QB Daniel Jones 'feels responsibility' after Giants fire OC Jason Garrett

The New York Giants surprised few, if any, coming off their uninspiring 30-10 prime-time loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by firing offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on Tuesday.

Aaron Rodgers likely to miss practices ahead of Rams game due to toe issue?

The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player may or may not be recovering from a "COVID toe" condition coming off his positive test for the virus as an unvaccinated player.

Vikings working with police to resolve Everson Griffen crisis

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen generated concern when he called 911 after 3 a.m. Wednesday to report an intruder was attempting to kill him inside his home.

Jets HC Robert Saleh: Trading for QB Joe Flacco was 'no-risk' move despite COVID-19 designation

Saleh's comment and the acquisition of Flacco make little sense to outside observers, as rookie Zach Wilson prepares to return from the PCL sprain that kept him out of action the past four games.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson '120 percent' playing vs. Browns after illness

Jackson addressed reporters Wednesday and said he was feeling "good" to go.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield plans to start Sunday vs. Ravens

Mayfield first suffered what's become a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder all the way back in Week 2 and has since encountered foot and knee issues.

Penguins HC Mike Sullivan: No set target date for Evgeni Malkin's return after knee surgery

The news shouldn't alarm Pittsburgh fans, as it was always believed Malkin wouldn't make his season debut before December.

Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim returning for 2022 college season

Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim earned All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Running Back of the Year honors in 2020 but went down with a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon in a campaign-opening loss.

Lions QB Jared Goff on OC Anthony Lynn: 'We have a great relationship'

Pleasant words aside, the harsh truth is the Lions failed to notch a single win over their first 10 games of the season, and Goff is 27th in the league among eligible quarterbacks with an 84.0 passer rating and 32nd with a woeful 26.8 total QBR.