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

Saints 'should' be able to host Giants in New Orleans in Week 4

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the Saints are on track to welcoming the New York Giants to the Caesars Superdome for the Week 4 showdown scheduled to occur Oct. 3.

Penguins' Sidney Crosby likely to miss start of season after wrist procedure

Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins received some disturbing news Wednesday.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley limited in practice Wednesday

Giants head coach Joe Judge wants to see how Barkley responds to hopefully being a full participant in Thursday's session before making any final call on his status for Week 1. 

Baker Mayfield, Browns OK with lack of 'substantive' contract talks

The confident Mayfield seems willing to bet on himself, and the Browns appear prepared to let him do just that through at least the midway point of September. 

Naomi Osaka listed in field for BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells

The news comes less than one full week after Osaka fell to Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez in the third round of the U.S. Open and later suggested she could take another break from the sport.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin on track to play vs. Cowboys

Chris Godwin was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice after his name appeared on Tuesday's injury report because of a quad issue. 

T.J. Watt practices after Ben Roethlisberger says Steelers should pay All-Pro

Watt led the NFL last season with 15 sacks, and Mike Tomlin suggested the 26-year-old will be in the lineup as usual for Sunday's regular-season opener at the Buffalo Bills.

Cam Newton has 'a lot of things that I need to get off my chest,' not retiring

Right now, what's clear is Newton still wants to play in the NFL. It remains to be seen if any club will give him an opportunity to do so before 2022 at the earliest. 

NFL player COVID-19 vaccination rate up slightly to 93.5%

The NFL's message has remained the same since the spring: Being fully vaccinated is the best way players can avoid missing practices and games this season for reasons related to the coronavirus.

Alabama guard Nimari Burnett to miss 2021-22 season after knee surgery

Burnett is expected to make a full recovery following the operation.

Tua Tagovailoa not among Dolphins' announced team captains

Anything resembling a crack in the relationship between the Dolphins and Tagovailoa will be scrutinized after the franchise was heavily linked to disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Colts QB Carson Wentz practicing, on track to play Sunday vs. Seahawks

It was initially said Wentz could miss anywhere from five to 12 weeks while recovering from the foot issue and surgery, but he's been trending toward playing in Week 1 since late August.

Mets' Pete Alonso second-fastest MLB player to reach 100 career home runs

In the top of the first inning of Tuesday's game at the Miami Marlins, Alonso hit an absolute bomb for his 100th career home run.

Ravens signing RB Le'Veon Bell to practice squad

Baltimore began Tuesday with Gus Edwards and Ty'Son Williams on the depth chart at running back.

Mets to decide on Luis Rojas after end of season

The Mets have been plagued by injuries all season and have been without ace Jacob deGrom since the conclusion of the All-Star break.

Mets' Jacob deGrom had UCL sprain; injury has healed

The Mets haven't yet shut deGrom down through at least the end of the regular season.

USMNT dismissed Weston McKennie for multiple COVID-19 violations?

McKennie's status for future international fixtures and dates is up in the air as the start of the fall months approach. 

Kentucky's John Calipari urges people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 after breakthrough case

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball coach John Calipari revealed Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19

Steelers not 'close' to signing T.J. Watt before Week 1?

The Steelers are a win-now team with 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger serving as QB1 for maybe his last season as an active NFL player.

Buccaneers add WR Chris Godwin to injury report with quad issue

Tom Brady could be without a key weapon for the season-opening matchup vs. the Cowboys.

Cavaliers to pursue trade for 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons?

One NBA insider says that the Cleveland Cavaliers have become the latest team tied to a potential Ben Simmons trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Patriots QB Mac Jones wasn't surprised to win starting job over Cam Newton

The New England Patriots stunned many on the final day of August by parting ways with veteran quarterback and 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton.

Larry Fitzgerald doesn't commit to retiring, playing in NFL again

Fitzgerald turned 38 years old on the final day of August and can sign with whatever team he wants whenever he wishes.

NFLPA president JC Tretter urges NFL to test all players for COVID daily

Daily virus testing may inconvenience some players, but the practice is worth any hassle if it prevents an outbreak that could endanger the status of any meaningful game moving forward.

Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' T.J. Watt will sign new deal, play at Bills

However, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reports disagreements about guaranteed money could prevent Watt from signing a deal before the weekend.