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

76ers avoid COVID-19 outbreak, cleared to play Pistons

76ers coach Doc Rivers confirmed Thursday that his team dodged what could've quickly become a worrisome situation.

NBA to investigate allegations against Suns owner Robert Sarver

A new ESPN report on Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver includes damning accusations that could ultimately lead to Sarver's permanent banishment from the Association.

Falcons' Cordarrelle Patterson: 'If my mom could go out there and work three jobs, I can go out there and play three positions'

Patterson says that his mother has inspired him to offer his services to the Falcons wherever they need him this fall. 

Report: Aaron Rodgers 'furious' it was revealed he isn't vaccinated against COVID-19

Perhaps the biggest off-the-field NFL story of the fall, to date, involves Green Bay Packers star quarterback and reigning Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers and the fallout from his positive COVID test Wednesday.

Penguins HC Mike Sullivan positive for COVID-19, out vs. Flyers

The Pittsburgh Penguins cannot dodge COVID-19 setbacks early into the 2021-22 NHL season.

Was Giants HC Joe Judge right about headsets going out?

Boomer Esiason explained that the headset issues are "a real thing," not just with the Giants but around the league.

Bears HC Matt Nagy clears COVID-19 protocols ahead of Steelers game

Nagy tested positive for COVID-19 coming off the team's blowout defeat at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 24 and wasn't able to attend last Sunday's 33-22 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott: 'Safe to say' I’m playing against Broncos

Backup Cooper Rush performed admirably in Prescott's absence in Minnesota, but it's Prescott who was earning mentions in early Most Valuable Player predictions before his latest setback. 

USMNT goalkeeper Zack Steffen agrees to new Manchester City deal through 2025

Steffen, 26, originally signed for City from MLS side Columbus Crew in the summer of 2019 and then spent the subsequent campaign on loan with German Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf. He returned to City last season.

Ravens WR Sammy Watkins returns to practice ahead of Vikings game

Watkins missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

Packers All-Pro WR Davante Adams off COVID-19 list ahead of Chiefs game

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Adams is back in the building but hasn't yet been cleared to play against the Chiefs. LaFleur is, however, "hopeful" his WR1 will be on the field Sunday.

Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin out vs. Islanders after taking puck to head

The Montreal Canadiens offered a positive update on forward Jonathan Drouin Wednesday, saying he didn't suffer a concussion when he was struck in the head by a shot delivered by teammate Brett Kulak in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Giants confirm false COVID-19 positives amid feared outbreak

The 2-6 New York Giants could've done without any off-the-field distractions ahead of Sunday's game against the 5-2 Las Vegas Raiders but had no such luck. 

Odell Beckham Jr. willing to rejoin Browns amid drama?

It's possible Beckham, who has 17 receptions for 232 yards and no touchdowns this season, is using media sources to paint the Browns as the bad guys and himself as the victim in this matter.

Did Deshaun Watson's legal team try to settle cases before NFL trade deadline?

Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the women suing Watson, suggested the quarterback's legal team wanted to settle the cases so that Watson could've been traded before the deadline. 

Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin day-to-day after taking puck to head

Montreal Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin was the subject of one of the scariest scenes, to date, of the young 2021-22 NHL season.

Report: Giants' Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney, Matt Skura test positive for COVID-19

Thirteen people associated with the Giants tested positive on Tuesday.

Report: Mets' Francisco Lindor grabbed Jeff McNeil by throat during infamous altercation

Francisco Lindor and infielder Jeff McNeil infamously got into some kind of altercation in the tunnel during a home game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 7. 

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (calf) limited in practice ahead of Broncos game

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that starting quarterback Dak Prescott was on track to be "full go" for Thursday's practice coming off the strained right calf he originally suffered on Oct. 17.

NFL reviewing if QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers violated COVID-19 protocols

By all accounts, Rodgers has violated league COVID-19 protocols on multiple occasions throughout the past several months and could literally and figuratively have to pay for his decisions. 

Devils' P.K. Subban fined $15,000 for tripping, avoids suspension

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday that Subban has been fined $15,000 for tripping Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras during Tuesday's game between the clubs,

Dolphins GM: 'We're very happy with' Tua Tagovailoa after Deshaun Watson links

Such votes of confidence don't erase that Tagovailoa is likely auditioning to keep his Miami job over the next couple of months.

Report: Ben Simmons still not 'mentally ready' to play for 76ers

There remains no timetable for Simmons' potential return to action.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield would welcome Odell Beckham Jr. back amid drama

Cleveland's QB1 admitted he is "surprised" by the current state of the situation that has the Browns speaking with Beckham's representatives about what comes next.

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray doesn't practice but ankle feels 'good' ahead of 49ers game

Murray suggested he could be good to go for Sunday's matchup at the 3-4 San Francisco 49ers.