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

Spurs assistant Becky Hammon: 'Please don't hire me to check a box'

Hammon added she wants to make history but only based on merit and, ultimately, because somebody has to be the first. 

Broncos TE Noah Fant praises both Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater

Expect both Lock and Bridgewater to rely heavily on the 23-year-old tight end during practices and exhibition contests as they attempt to win the starting gig before Labor Day.

NWSL's Washington Spirit suspend former coach Richie Burke after abuse allegations

Molly Hensley-Clancy of the Washington Post reports multiple Washington players allege Richie Burke of verbal and emotional abuse that include "threats, criticism and personal insults" and the use of "racially insensitive jokes" and slurs.

Ravens rookie WR Rashod Bateman could miss start of season with groin injury?

It's too early to know Bateman's status for Baltimore's regular-season opener at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 13, but it seems likely he'll be a spectator for all three of the club's preseason games this month. 

NFL keeping COVID-related injured reserve rules for 2021 season

The league is once again allowing for an unlimited number of players to return from the injured reserve list for the upcoming campaign.

Phillies' Rhys Hoskins on 10-day IL with groin strain

Hoskins hasn't played since Philadelphia defeated the Washington Nationals last Thursday.

Taunting rules to be heavily enforced during 2021 NFL season

The NFL rulebook defines acts of taunting as those that include 'using baiting or taunting acts or words that may engender ill will between teams,' and 'using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials or representatives of the League.'

Rafael Nadal out of National Bank Open due to foot injury

Both world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are also sidelined while trying to reach full fitness ahead of the year's final Grand Slam that begins in New York City on Aug. 30.

Kyle Shanahan won't say if Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo will play vs. Chiefs

Shanahan sitting Garoppolo this weekend might not be a sign of anything, even if Lance takes the field and performs well.

Paris Saint-Germain officially welcomes Lionel Messi on two-year contract

Part of Messi's agreement to stay with Barcelona, a contract that ultimately could not be registered, reportedly involved the living legend eventually joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. It's unclear if his PSG deal contains a similar clause.

Jakub Vrana signs three-year, $15.75 million deal with Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings acquired winger Jakub Vrana ahead of the trade deadline in April and have now locked the 25-year-old down on a new agreement that allowed the parties to avoid a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Wednesday. 

Colts rookie QB Sam Ehlinger getting first-team reps

If neither Eason nor Ehlinger look capable of leading the Colts to regular-season wins by the end of the month, Indianapolis could pursue a trade for a proven commodity.

Valparaiso chooses Beacons as new nickname

Valparaiso says it received close to 1,000 suggestions for a new nickname and also "input from dozens of students, student-athletes, faculty, staff and alumni" regarding the change. 

Broncos to start Drew Lock this week, Teddy Bridgewater next week

Vic Fangio declared in mid-May the battle between Lock and Bridgewater would "be a 50-50 proposition," and the coach is staying true to his word through the summer months. 

Browns All-Pro DE Myles Garrett considered 'day-to-day' with hamstring injury

The Browns understandably are protective of their key defensive asset, and not just because he signed a five-year extension that could be worth up to $125 million in July 2020.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly to return Friday from COVID-19 absence

Mattingly has been away from the team since July 31 when he tested positive for COVID-19.

Premier League to issue permanent bans to fans guilty of racist abuse

The Premier League also vowed to continue working with social media platforms such a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram "to improve existing tools and develop processes to tackle abuse" throughout the upcoming campaign. 

Washington Football Team has 86% of players partially vaccinated against COVID-19

86% of the club's players are now at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus, up from 36% as of early July. 59.3% of players are fully vaccinated. 

Mavericks' Luka Doncic makes history with supermax rookie extension

It seems like it's a matter of when, not if, he wins his first of multiple Most Valuable Player awards. 

Novak Djokovic withdraws from Western & Southern Open

The main draw for the Western & Southern Open will be announced this coming Friday, and men's main-draw action begins on Sunday. 

Giants to retire Michael Strahan's No. 92 jersey

The Giants will retire the No. 92 jersey that once belonged to New York all-time great pass-rusher and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan on a to-be-announced date. 

USMNT striker Josh Sargent joins Norwich City on four-year deal

Sargent may play underneath or alongside Norwich forward Teemu Pukki but could ultimately replace Pukki as the club's first-choice front man. 

Buccaneers' Bruce Arians: 'Our offense just stinks'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reportedly cussed out his offense following an underwhelming practice last week, and head coach Bruce Arians had little good to say about that portion of his roster on Monday.

Saints' Sean Payton declines comment on Michael Thomas' tweet

New Orleans head coach Sean Payton had little to say about a controversial tweet from disgruntled wide receiver Michael Thomas when asked on Monday.