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

Eagles confirm Jalen Hurts is starting quarterback

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Tuesday what everybody knew to be true: Jalen Hurts will start under center for Philly in 2021.

Mets fans boo Javier Baez after 'thumbs-down' controversy, apologies

Judging by Tuesday's events in Queens, at least some pockets of Mets  fans won't miss Baez if he's playing elsewhere next spring.

Report: 76ers' Ben Simmons wants to be traded, won't report for training camp

Ever since the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs, it's felt as if there was only one conclusion to the saga involving out-of-favor All-Star guard Ben Simmons.

Report: Dodgers' Trevor Bauer won't pitch again this year

Trevor Bauer recently had his paid administrative leave extended a seventh time through Sept. 3 by MLB and the MLB Players Association as he continues to face allegations of sexual assault. 

Report: Dolphins owner Stephen Ross 'really wants' Texans' Deshaun Watson

Watson was heavily linked with the Miami Dolphins over the weekend, and such rumors aren't quieting down ahead of Labor Day. 

Tottenham's Harry Kane: Manchester City saga won't tarnish reputation

Kane's current contract has three years remaining and a no-release clause, but it's possible the 28-year-old could put pen to paper on an extension.

Report: Week 1 Packers-Saints game likely not happening at AT&T Stadium due to concert

As of Tuesday afternoon, the NFL hasn't changed the location of the Packers-Saints matchup. 

2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen makes Falcons' initial 53-man roster

Rosen, a 2018 first-round draft pick, began the summer with the San Francisco 49ers but was released on Aug. 17. 

Mets' Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez apologize for 'thumbs-down' controversy

Perhaps Lindor and company will embrace a thumbs-up approach over the final month of what's become a lost season for the Amazins. 

Week 1 Packers-Saints game at AT&T Stadium a 'very realistic' possibility

New Orleans head coach Sean Payton told reporters Tuesday that the Saints are planning to operate away from the city for at least one month.

Saints suggest Week 1 game vs. Packers will be in New Orleans

Saturday's preseason finale between the Saints and Arizona Cardinals was canceled because of the storm. 

Red Sox pitcher Martin Perez tests positive for COVID-19

Perez becomes the latest Boston player to test positive. 

Browns' Kevin Stefanski: Baker Mayfield has 'really grown'

The 26-year-old signal-caller could ultimately put pen to paper on a five-year extension worth $206 million total with $143 million guaranteed.

Mets' Francisco Lindor gives 'thumbs-up' amid celebration controversy

Lindor had some positive interactions with fans at the U.S. Open Monday after Mets players admitted Sunday that their "thumbs-down" celebration was a reaction to being booed by fans amid the team's run of disappointing play. 

Report: Real Madrid-Paris Saint-Germain talks on Kylian Mbappe at 'standstill'

It was reported last week that Real Madrid offered €180 million ($212 million) to Paris Saint-Germain for star forward Kylian Mbappe after PSG allegedly

Cleveland's Wilson Ramos done for season with torn ACL, MCL

In his nine appearances for Cleveland, Ramos batted .226 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Texans are 'day to day' with Deshaun Watson being on roster

For now, veteran Tyrod Taylor is Houston's starting quarterback heading  into the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 12.

SEC to force forfeits if teams can't play due to COVID-19

The SEC became the final Power 5 conference to publicly outline policies for games missed due to COVID-19. 

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh defends playing J.K. Dobbins in preseason finale

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins will miss the entire 2021 season because of the torn ACL he suffered in Saturday's preseason-closing victory.

USMNT's Timothy Weah to miss World Cup qualifiers due to injury

The United States men's national team will be without a goal-scoring option when they open their upcoming round of World Cup qualifying matches this week.

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau likely lost for season after ankle surgery

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish open the 2021 college football season at the Florida State Seminoles on Sunday but already experienced a costly loss.

Pirates fire hitting coach Rick Eckstein

Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington reacted to the team's last-place rankings in various offensive categories by firing hitting coach Rick Eckstein on Monday. 

Brian Flores: Dolphins want 'high character' players amid Deshaun Watson rumors

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson generated massive buzz over the weekend by reporting the Miami Dolphins were front-runners to land Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Jennifer Brady withdraws from U.S. Open with injury

Dzevad Mesic of Tennis World USA noted for a piece published Aug. 18 that Brady had been carrying the unspecified injury throughout the summer. 

Report: Oklahoma-Tulane game to be relocated due to Hurricane Ida

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg wrote that Tulane "has contingency plans" to play Saturday's matchup currently scheduled to begin at noon ET in Oklahoma.