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

Steelers mandate masks for preseason game against Lions

The Steelers shared the news via the team's website. 

Cam Newton hasn't been told he's starter for Week 1

While it's been assumed Newton would be the Week 1 starter for the Patriots, he hasn't been told that just yet. 

Wild re-sign Kevin Fiala to one-year, $5.1 million deal

Fiala finished the 2020-21 NHL regular season second on the Wild with 40 points, 20 goals and six power-play goals.

Mets' Jacob deGrom to miss rest of regular season?

On the heels of another two-week shut down, time is running out for deGrom to return to the mound in the regular season. 

Premier League confirms 11 positive COVID-19 tests after opening weekend

The English Premier League returned Friday with Brentford upsetting  Arsenal, and fans were back inside stadiums despite continued concerns related to

Magic's Jalen Suggs out for remainder of Summer League with thumb injury

The Magic confirmed Friday that Suggs won't take the court again in Las Vegas.

Colts' Jacob Eason to start, play most of first half vs. Panthers

2020 fourth-round draft pick Jacob Eason and 2021 sixth-round draft selection Sam Ehlinger are competing for the right to temporarily replace Wentz atop the depth chart.

Mets' Javier Baez on injured list with back spasms

The news somehow continues to go from bad to worse for the New York Mets.

All-Star SS Brandon Crawford signs two-year, $32 million extension with Giants

Crawford and the Giants have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $32 million that now keeps the 34-year-old attached to the club through the 2023 season. 

Nets to require fans, employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend games

Fans of the New Orleans Saints learned earlier this week that they will have to show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus

Mets' Jacob deGrom shut down two more weeks; season in doubt?

There are now serious concerns that New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom won't face another batter in a competitive MLB game until 2022.  Per the official league

Dodgers' Mookie Betts doesn't need surgery on hip; no timetable for return

Betts will attempt to play through the issue when he returns and then possibly have offseason surgery to address the matter. 

Fans give Arsenal's Bukayo Saka standing ovation after racist abuse

Saka entered the match in the 59th minute and received a standing ovation from both the home and away supporters.

Grand jury investigation open regarding Deshaun Watson allegations?

The NFL's handling of similar matters practically guarantees Watson will be banned from playing via the commissioner's exempt list if he's indicted. It seems unlikely he'll take snaps in any exhibition games for Houston this month. 

Giants quarterback Mike Glennon 'anxious' to start vs. Jets

Throughout his career, Glennon has completed 599 of 980 passes for 6,235 yards with 43 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Bears DT Eddie Goldman activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Goldman put pen to paper on a four-year extension that could be worth roughly $42 million with $25 million in guarantees back in September 2018.

Broncos RB Mike Boone out four to six weeks with quad injury

Across his three seasons with Minnesota, Boone rushed for 379 yards and four touchdowns before signing with Denver as a free agent in March. 

'A ton' of star NFL players are opposed to COVID-19 vaccines?

While touching upon the subject of the NFL and NFLPA potentially agreeing to mandatory player vaccines, one report states that "'a ton' of star players are opposed to the vaccine

Lionel Messi won't make Paris Saint-Germain debut Saturday vs. Strasbourg

Excited Paris Saint-Germain supporters will have to wait a little longer to see Lionel Messi wear the shirt in a competitive game.

Dodgers ace Trevor Bauer has administrative leave extended through Aug. 20

Los Angeles Dodgers ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer will remain out of action for at least another week.  According to an ESPN report, Bauer's paid administrative leave has been extended another seven days through Aug.

Report: Harry Kane skipped Tottenham training amid links to Manchester City

It's been reported that Tottenham did expect Kane back at training Aug. 2. Instead, the 28-year-old allegedly told his current employer he'd return the subsequent weekend.

Five NFL teams below 88% COVID-19 vaccination rate

Back on Aug. 3, it was learned that 27 teams had reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold among players that allows for the loosening of certain restrictions and protocols related to the virus.  As of Thursday, five clubs were still below an 88% vaccination rate.

WR Larry Fitzgerald heading back to Cardinals?

A tweet from Larry Fitzgerald's father has fueled speculation that the wideout might be returning to the Cardinals.

Kawhi Leonard staying with Clippers via four-year, $176.3M deal

Leonard is a five-time All-Star who averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 52 regular-season games during the 2020-21 campaign.

Jim Irsay says Colts' Carson Wentz will return only when '100 percent'

Colts owner Jim Irsay made it clear on Thursday his coaching staff won't be rushing Wentz back ahead of schedule.