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

Twitter/X: @ZacWassink
Muck Rack: zac-wassink
December 8, 2021  |  NHL

Hurricanes' Ian Cole fined $5,000 for kneeing Jets' Mark Scheifele

Cole avoided what some would've deemed a justifiable suspension for his actions in Tuesday's 4-2 win at the Winnipeg Jets.

December 8, 2021  |  New York Giants

Giants QB Jake Fromm on possibly starting: 'It’s like preparing for a final test and you didn’t show up for any of the classes'

Realistically, Fromm probably needs at least another week with the playbook before he should see any snaps against a live defense.

December 8, 2021  |  Cleveland Browns

Browns QB Baker Mayfield: 'We still have everything in front of us'

Mayfield spoke with reporters Wednesday and, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, commented that he's "confident where I’m at, where we’re at, and where we’re headed" going into what most would consider to be a must-win clash.

December 8, 2021  |  New York Giants

Report: Giants QB Daniel Jones 'likely' out vs. Chargers with neck injury; Mike Glennon could clear concussion protocol

Giants head coach Joe Judge said Jones hasn't yet been ruled out for the rest of the season and also that he's "optimistic" signal-caller Mike Glennon will be available by Sunday afternoon.

December 8, 2021  |  Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers not practicing, Kurt Benkert taking reps at QB for Packers

Green Bay backup signal-caller Jordan Love is on the reserve/COVID-19 list after he reportedly tested positive for the virus Monday, leaving third-string option Kurt Benkert as the team's only active player at the position on Wednesday.

December 8, 2021  |  Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy to return from COVID-19 absence Thursday

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn served as interim head coach for last Thursday's victory at New Orleans. McCarthy, meanwhile, has been staying at a hotel since Nov. 26 and will remain there a little longer.

December 8, 2021  |  Chicago Bulls

Bulls guard Matt Thomas enters health and safety protocols, out Wednesday vs. Cavaliers

Thomas is on track to miss multiple games. Assuming Thomas has to isolate for a minimum of 10 days, he will be sidelined for at least four total contests.

December 8, 2021  |  Tottenham Hotspur

Eight Tottenham players, five staff members test positive for COVID-19

Tottenham remain scheduled to face Stade Rennais in a critical Europa Conference League match Thursday night despite the club's coronavirus crisis.

December 7, 2021  |  New Orleans Saints

Saints waive WR Kenny Stills after drop in Cowboys loss

Stills appeared in 10 contests during his second stint with the organization this fall and recorded only five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown across those outings.

December 7, 2021  |  New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans' Zion Williamson weighs around 330 pounds?

Considering the 21-year-old is listed at 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds on his official NBA profile page, this is alarming for multiple reasons. 

December 7, 2021  |  Michigan Wolverines

Michigan's Josh Gattis wins Broyles Award as top assistant coach

Gattis beat out Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Wake Forest offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero for the Broyles Award. 

December 7, 2021  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers' Tom Brady likely to become NFL all-time leader in completions vs. Bills

Brady will enter this coming Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills just 18 regular-season completions away from breaking the all-time record for that category.

December 7, 2021  |  Tennessee Titans

Titans activate star safety Kevin Byard from reserve/COVID-19 list

It appears Byard is on track to take the field this weekend. 

December 7, 2021  |  Minnesota Vikings

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) limited; WR Adam Thielen (ankle) doesn't practice

Dalvin Cook was a limited participant for Tuesday's practice session due a shoulder injury, and wide receiver Adam Thielen did not practice because of a high-ankle sprain.

December 7, 2021  |  Pittsburgh Panthers

Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple resigns

It's unknown who will call offensive plays for Pitt in the Peach Bowl.

December 7, 2021  |  New England Patriots

Patriots QB Mac Jones on not speaking with Peyton Manning: 'We were just focused on the game'

Belichick and company have left no doubt that Jones will be doing the bare minimum as it pertains to press obligations up until he takes the final snap of his rookie campaign. 

December 7, 2021  |  Green Bay Packers

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: 'I'm not going to miss any games' because of toe injury

The reigning NFL Most Valuable Player admitted he could go under the knife at some point before the playoffs if the injury worsens.

December 7, 2021  |  Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger: Shoulder hurts more than elbow ahead of Vikings game

Roethlisberger also seemed to hit out at a schedule format that forces teams to play a game on a Sunday and then do so again the subsequent Thursday night.

December 7, 2021  |  Soccer

MLS commissioner Don Garber: 'No practicality' to biennial World Cup

Critics note hosting a World Cup every two years could negatively impact domestic competitions by over-saturating markets with international football and also by stripping players of offseason time.

December 7, 2021  |  Cleveland Browns

Browns place TE David Njoku on reserve/COVID-19 list

Njoku leads the Browns with 407 receiving yards and is tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches.

December 7, 2021  |  Cleveland Guardians

Guardians realign marquee sign at Progressive Field

The club replaced the former script "Indians" logo from the marquee sign at Progressive Field and replaced it with a "Guardians" insignia, but many noticed the new letters were off-center.

December 7, 2021  |  Tottenham Hotspur

Report: Seven first-team Tottenham players test positive for COVID-19 amid feared outbreak

Tottenham are awaiting the results of Tuesday's PCR testing before determining if they'll request that Sunday's league match be postponed.

December 6, 2021  |  Tennis

2019 U.S. Open champ Bianca Andreescu skipping Australian Open, taking break from tennis

The former world No. 4 defeated Serena Williams in the 2019 U.S. Open final to become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam singles title.

December 6, 2021  |  New Orleans Saints

Saints WR Deonte Harris suspended three games for DUI arrest following appeal

While Harris was able to play during his appeal per league rules, he's now ineligible to take the field for the 5-7 Saints through Week 16. 

December 6, 2021  |  Chicago Bulls

Bulls' DeMar DeRozan enters health and safety protocols, out Monday vs. Nuggets

Eastern Conference Player of the Week DeMar DeRozan has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and, thus, isn't available for the Bulls' game Monday against the Denver Nuggets.