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

Nets' Kyrie Irving 'incredibly grateful' to be back at practice

The Nets play their next three games at home, so Irving cannot make his season debut until Brooklyn travels to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 5 at the earliest. 

Giants not shutting down Saquon Barkley despite woeful record, ankle setback

Giants head coach Joe Judge made it clear on Wednesday he doesn't feel any game is "meaningless" even with his club mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and Barkley echoed previous comments, saying he's not thinking about shutting things down before Week 18. 

49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo could start vs. Texans despite thumb injury

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that Garoppolo does not immediately require surgery to repair the issue.

Panthers bench QB Cam Newton in favor of Sam Darnold

Darnold enters the new year 30th among eligible quarterbacks with a 70.8 passer rating and 27th with a 35.4 total QBR.

Christian Eriksen unlikely to return to Tottenham Hotspur?

It's been thought Eriksen could eventually resume his professional career in England, his native Denmark or Holland with his ICD device if he can pass a club medical.

Vikings' Adam Thielen has season-ending surgery; Dalvin Cook off COVID-19 list

The 7-8 Minnesota Vikings mixed some good news with an unfortunate update on Wednesday as they prepare for the upcoming "Sunday Night Football" clash at the 12-3 Green Bay Packers. 

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson practices after missing two games with ankle injury

The once 8-3 Baltimore Ravens have dropped four straight games to fall to 8-7 and have been without star quarterback Lamar Jackson for their past two defeats because of the sprained right ankle he suffered during a loss at the Cleveland Browns back on Dec.

Broncos QB Drew Lock likely to start vs. Chargers

Thus far this season, Lock has connected on 37-of-62 attempts (59.7%) for 380 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a career-worst 69.3 passer rating.

Giants to play both Jake Fromm, Mike Glennon vs. Bears

The two quarterbacks will compete during practice sessions for the right to start that game under center, but both will play.

Nick Saban: '90 percent' of Alabama players vaccinated against COVID-19, have received boosters

Alabama got through the 2020 holiday season without significant COVID-19 issues at a time when vaccines weren't available to players.

No NFL players opt out amid relaxed COVID-19 testing protocols

"High-risk" players were afforded the opportunity to opt out of the remainder of the season but no one took advantage of the option.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians on Antonio Brown: 'History has changed'

Brown has 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns in five games this season. He's been out of action since first hurting his ankle on Oct. 14.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni 'confident' QB Jalen Hurts will start vs. Washington

Hurts missed the Eagles' previous game with an ankle injury.

Lions QB Jared Goff on COVID-19 list after win over Cardinals

There was some bad news for the Lions on Monday after Sunday's upset win over the Cardinals. 

Chargers place Joey Bosa, Kemon Hall on COVID-19 list, out at Texans

Brandon Staley told reporters that star running back Austin Ekeler and center Corey Linsley were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Giants shut down Daniel Jones for season with neck injury

It's unknown if the Giants intend to exercise the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract.

Panthers could start Sam Darnold over Cam Newton vs. Buccaneers?

As Darnold makes his way back from injury he could be in the mix to retake the QB1 spot.

Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater unlikely to play at Raiders with concussion

Former starter and current backup Drew Lock returns atop the depth chart in Bridgewater's place.

Buccaneers star WR Chris Godwin out for season with torn ACL

It's a brutal blow for both a Tampa Bay team looking to repeat as champions and a young one-time Pro Bowl selection who played the 2021 campaign on the franchise tag.

Penguins-Devils postponed due to COVID-19 issues impacting New Jersey

The NHL allowing Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils to take place may prove to be an unwise decision. 

Louisville-Kentucky postponed as Cardinals pause due to COVID

The men's basketball programs of the Louisville Cardinals and No. 20-ranked Kentucky Wildcats won't play at Rupp Arena on Wednesday after all. 

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski doesn't clear COVID-19 protocols, out vs. Raiders

Many of the Browns players taking the field Monday are familiar with this type of situation. Stefanski was famously unable to attend the playoff game at the rival Pittsburgh Steelers last January.

Premier League not yet pausing season despite COVID-19 issues, concerns

A total of six games were postponed due to virus outbreaks, and multiple individuals questioned the decision to play any match as the Omicron variant seemingly spreads like wildfire across the league.

NHL in 'triage mode,' hoping to avoid full pause; Canucks' attendance reduced

The NHL is in "triage mode" but is "hoping to avoid a full-on pause at all costs" even though things are looking "pretty grim" for multiple clubs and the league as a whole.

Bucs QB Tom Brady has shoulder issue ahead of Saints game?

The seven-time champion signal-caller was listed as a full participant and carries no injury designation into the weekend, so everybody should expect the future Hall of Famer to be in the lineup come Sunday.