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

Twitter/X: @ZacWassink
Muck Rack: zac-wassink
August 9, 2021  |  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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.

August 9, 2021  |  New Orleans Saints

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. 

August 9, 2021  |  New York Giants

Giants' Saquon Barkley out vs. Jets, ‘definitely hopeful’ for Week 1

Optimism seems to be increasing regarding Barkley being on the field for Week 1. 

August 9, 2021  |  Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers sign goaltender Carter Hart to three-year, $11.9M extension

The 22-year-old was a restricted free agent before Monday's development but is now locked down through 2023-24.

August 9, 2021  |  Tennis

Andy Murray replaces Stan Wawrinka in U.S. Open field

Murray has battled injuries this season but will replace an ailing Wawrinka at the U.S. Open. 

August 9, 2021  |  New York Mets

Report: Mets manager Luis Rojas not in danger of losing job despite recent slump

The Mets have nosedived since the All-Star break, falling from first to third in the N.L. East standings. 

August 9, 2021  |  New York Giants

Giants RB Saquon Barkley returns to practice

New York Giants fans didn't have to wait long to catch glimpses of star running back Saquon Barkley in action on Monday.

August 9, 2021  |  Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins HOF play-by-play announcer Mike Lange retires

The long-time voice of the Penguins is calling it a career. 

August 9, 2021  |  Soccer

Harry Kane could play for Tottenham vs. Manchester City?

Kane returned to Tottenham on Saturday and is currently quarantining at the team's training ground hotel per COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

August 9, 2021  |  Houston Texans

Deshaun Watson won't play another down for Texans?

Monday produced some conflicting reports on Watson's situation in Houston, but at least one NFL insider believes the QB has played his last down for the Texans. 

August 6, 2021  |  Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland ace Shane Bieber wants to return from injury this season

There remains no timeline for Bieber's return, largely because Cleveland has little reason to rush him back into action unless the first-place Chicago White Sox shockingly stumble down the stretch.

August 6, 2021  |  San Francisco 49ers

49ers to play Trey Lance along with Jimmy Garoppolo this season?

San Francisco opens the preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 14, and Lance should receive more snaps than Garoppolo on that occasion and throughout exhibition games.

August 6, 2021  |  Clemson Tigers

Clemson's Justyn Ross cleared to return from career-threatening issue

Ross recorded 66 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 and was projected to be a top-10 selection in some mock drafts before he was sidelined indefinitely. 

August 6, 2021  |  Athletics

Oakland's Ramon Laureano suspended 80 games for PED violation

Oakland outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended 80 games without pay for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Nandrolone.

August 6, 2021  |  NFL

Texans' Anthony Miller on Deshaun Watson: 'The show must go on'

Watson  could be made unavailable to play for the foreseeable future as he's facing 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints.

August 6, 2021

Terry Bowden steps away from UL-Monroe to care for ailing father Bobby

Bobby Bowden is suffering from pancreatic cancer. University of Louisiana Monroe head coach Terry Bowden, Bobby's son, has temporarily left the program to spend time with his family.

August 6, 2021  |  Brooklyn Nets

Kevin Durant will remain with Nets on four-year, $198 million extension

Durant, 32, originally joined the Nets in the summer of 2019, but he missed the subsequent season while recovering from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in that year's NBA Finals. He is currently representing Team USA in the Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. 

August 6, 2021  |  Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard reportedly staying with Clippers on new deal

Leonard, a five-time All-Star, averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 52 regular-season games with the Clippers in 2020-21.

August 6, 2021  |  Soccer

Lionel Messi to sign with Paris Saint-Germain next week?

Messi was almost immediately linked with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain in rumors following Thursday's announcement from Barcelona.

August 6, 2021  |  Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders' Carl Nassib 'met with nothing but love and support' since coming out

While speaking with reporters Friday, Nassib admitted he was stunned by the massive worldwide reactions to his announcement and added his teammates have been supportive throughout the entire process. 

August 6, 2021  |  New England Patriots

Patriots' Cam Newton won't say if he's vaccinated against COVID-19

The one-time NFL Most Valuable Player returned to the Patriots via a one-year contract he signed in March, but that was before the club spent pick No. 15 of the 2021 draft on Alabama Crimson Tide signal-caller Mac Jones.

August 6, 2021  |  Chicago Cubs

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward on IL with index finger inflammation

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward continues to endure a season he'd probably prefer to forget.

August 6, 2021  |  Baltimore Ravens

Ravens activate Lamar Jackson from COVID-19 list

Ravens running back Gus Edwards also tested positive for the coronavirus in late July but returned to work Friday.

August 6, 2021  |  Los Angeles Rams

Rams head coach Sean McVay: 'Zero chance' Matthew Stafford takes preseason snap

While this certainly isn't the first trip around the NFL for veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford, he's only officially been with the Los Angeles Rams since he joined the franchise via a March trade from the Detroit Lions.

August 6, 2021  |  Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane denies skipping training, vows to report to Tottenham Saturday

This is Kane's first public statement since reports surfaced at the start of the week he was facing "a significant fine" for what Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy deemed a breach of contract.