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

Pac-12 will not pursue expansion 'at this time'

The Pac-12, Big Ten and ACC officially announced on Tuesday they had formed an anticipated "alliance" that, among other things, will allow them to create

Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers vaccinated against COVID-19

"It's a personal decision. It's an interesting issue," Rodgers explained while adding he won't criticize teammates who still haven't gotten one of the available vaccines. 

Real Madrid offer €180 million to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid have seemingly received the message that Paris Saint-Germain will not sell young forward Kylian Mbappe at a discount.

Sean Couturier signs eight-year, $62 million extension with Flyers

Couturier finished the 2020-21 regular season second on the Flyers with 18 goals, fourth with 41 points, and first with 0.91 points per game across 45 contests.

Patriots HC Bill Belichick offers no new information on Cam Newton absence

It's unknown if either Newton or Jones can "win" the gig via performances in Sunday's preseason finale against the Giants. 

Manchester City suspend Benjamin Mendy following rape, sexual assault charges

The 27-year-old is due to appear in court on Friday related to charges linked with alleged incidents said to have happened between October of last year and some point earlier this month.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly close to reaching deal with Manchester City

Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and still widely perceived as one of the world's top goal-scorers even though he'll turn 37 in February.

Patriots' Mac Jones shines in Cam Newton's absence during practice with Giants

Jones completed 35 of 40 passes in 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills against the Big Blue defense. He hit on 18 straight passes during his hottest portion of the session. 

Cleveland's Triston McKenzie on IL with shoulder fatigue

Cleveland Indians 24-year-old right-handed starter Triston McKenzie notched victories in his last two starts but won't be taking the bump for Friday's home game against the Boston Red Sox as originally planned. 

Is 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo confident he'll start over Trey Lance?

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has maintained that Jimmy Garoppolo will start under center for Week 1's opener, and the veteran QB seemed pretty happy with his coach's support when speaking to reporters Wednesday.

Venus Williams out of U.S. Open with lingering leg injury

Venus has seven major titles on her career resume and had received a wild-card berth into this year's U.S. Open. 

Mets' Noah Syndergaard to begin rehab assignment on Thursday

Mets manager Luis Rojas confirmed ahead Wednesday that right-hander Noah Syndergaard will begin a minor league rehab assignment with High-A Brooklyn on Thursday.

Auburn's Bryan Harsin 'not anti-vaccine,' doesn't confirm he's vaccinated against COVID-19

Harsin hasn't experienced any symptoms since testing positive and is on track to return to team activities this coming Monday.

Cowboys' Dak Prescott throws 12 passes in 11-on-11 drills

Dak Prescott participated in 11-on-11 drills on Wednesday for the first time since July 27 and completed 11 of 12 passes.

Report: ESPN removes Rachel Nichols from NBA coverage, cancels 'The Jump'

It appears Rachel Nichols' time as a public star with ESPN is finished. 

Mets ace Jacob deGrom resumes throwing, working toward possible September return

deGrom last faced opposing MLB batters on July 7 and is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA and 0.55 WHIP in 15 starts this season. 

British government won't change policy to allow footballers to travel for World Cup qualifying

The Premier League declared Tuesday that its teams will not release players for September World Cup qualifiers held in countries on England's "red list"

Buccaneers' Bruce Arians: 'We’re going to be under pretty much the same protocols as last year'

Arians made it clear "there’s league rules and then there’s my rules" regarding what his players will be allowed to do during road trips starting next month.

Cardinals 10-time All-Star catcher Yadier Molina retiring after 2022 season

Molina has played only for the Cardinals since 2004 and began Wednesday batting .259 with eight home runs and 51 RBI across 95 games this season.

Steelers to start Dwayne Haskins Friday vs. Panthers

Back on Aug. 12, Haskins completed 16-of-22 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown while rallying the Steelers from behind for a win at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Teddy Bridgewater wins Broncos starting QB job over Drew Lock

The Denver Broncos finally have a starting quarterback. How long he'll keep the job is anybody's guess.

Manchester City to pursue Cristiano Ronaldo after missing out on Harry Kane?

Ronaldo has only one season left on his contract and reportedly wishes to leave the Italian Serie A giants before the end of the month.

Buccaneers' Ryan Succop tests positive for COVID-19 after dinner with Titans?

The 34-year-old originally joined the Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season and, per Pro Football Reference, set a franchise record of 136 points in regular-season play en route to ultimately earning a Super Bowl ring.

Broncos' Vic Fangio still hasn't decided if Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater will start

It was reported last week that Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio was "pretty damn close" to choosing a winner in the quarterback competition between

Mets ace Jacob deGrom to have MRI Wednesday, could return this year

The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner won't be eligible to return from the IL until Sept. 13 at the earliest.