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
July 26, 2021  |  Houston Texans

Two new women make allegations against Texans' Deshaun Watson

Watson continues to deny any wrongdoing via his attorney.  

July 26, 2021  |  Green Bay Packers

Packers, Aaron Rodgers close to agreement that lets QB leave after 2021 season?

It appears Rodgers is planning his own version of "The Last Dance." 

July 26, 2021  |  New Orleans Saints

Saints two-time All-Pro WR Michael Thomas to start season on PUP list

The 28-year-old could be eligible to return for New Orleans' Week 7 game against the Seattle Seahawks coming off a bye week.

July 26, 2021  |  New York Mets

Mets GM updates timeline for Francisco Lindor return

We have a least a general idea of when to expect Lindor back on the field. 

July 26, 2021  |  Kansas City Chiefs

Veteran NFL center Daniel Kilgore retires

Kilgore is calling it a career after 10 NFL seasons. 

July 26, 2021  |  Houston Texans

Texans' Deshaun Watson doesn't know if he'll be placed on paid leave?

The uncertainty around Watson continues to intensify. 

July 26, 2021  |  Florida Panthers

Panthers re-sign center Sam Bennett to four-year deal

Bennett joined the Panthers through a trade from the Calgary Flames on April 12.

July 26, 2021  |  Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals' Joe Burrow unlikely to play in preseason?

The updates on Burrow's health have been overwhelmingly positive, but that doesn't mean the team is willing to expose him to risk in meaningless games. 

July 26, 2021  |  MLB

Report: Mets likely won't pursue Twins ace Jose Berrios

The Mets are still in the market for pitching, but they reportedly feel the price is too high for Berrios.

July 26, 2021  |  NFL

10 NFL teams hit 90% COVID-19 vaccination threshold

Vaccination numbers among NFL teams are on the rise. 

July 26, 2021  |  Green Bay Packers

Report: MVP Aaron Rodgers plans to play for Packers this season

It appears Rodgers and the Packers will make at least one more run together. 

July 23, 2021  |  Cleveland Cavaliers

Cavaliers make Jarrett Allen qualifying offer, want him back

Allen will hit restricted free agency, and the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets are among potential suitors with available salary-cap space that could lure him away from Northeast Ohio.

July 23, 2021  |  Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys' Dak Prescott wants to play in preseason games

Prescott is practicing in training camp, as scheduled, coming off the compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle he suffered last October.

July 23, 2021  |  Los Angeles Dodgers

Restraining-order hearing for Dodgers' Trevor Bauer pushed to Aug. 2

It's unknown if the Dodgers would welcome Bauer back if MLB did not extend his leave at some point this summer or fall. 

July 23, 2021  |  Washington Nationals

Nationals' Starlin Castro has administrative leave extended seven days

Castro's administrative leave was extended another seven days on Friday per MLB's domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. He has been on leave since July 16. 

July 23, 2021  |  Minnesota Vikings

Vikings having 'discussions' with assistant Rick Dennison over COVID-19 vaccine protocols

A report surfaced that the Vikings and assistant coach Rick Dennison parted ways after he allegedly refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but that might not be the case.

July 23, 2021  |  Cincinnati Reds

Reds All-Star Nick Castellanos on IL with wrist microfracture

There's no timetable for Castellanos' return, but it's believed he could miss a couple of weeks of action.

July 23, 2021  |  NFL

Patriots assistant Cole Popovich out due to COVID-19 vaccine protocols?

Earlier on Friday, reports surfaced that Rick Dennison and the Vikings parted ways because the assistant coach did not get vaccinated. Dennison is believed to be the first coach to leave a team over the league's COVID-19 policies for the upcoming campaign. 

July 23, 2021  |  College Football

Could Pac-12 add schools if Oklahoma, Texas join SEC?

Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff said Friday his league isn't yet recruiting new schools but also wouldn't reject discussions on the matter. 

July 23, 2021  |  Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes expects 'no restrictions' coming off toe surgery

Mahomes was always on track to be 100% by late July, but it's understandable the health of arguably the league's best overall player would generate headlines.

July 23, 2021  |  Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals place rookie CB Lorenzo Burns on reserve/COVID-19 list

It's unclear if Burns tested positive or was deemed a high-risk close contact, and there's no known timetable for his return to training camp. Arizona begins its training camp on Tuesday. 

July 23, 2021  |  Chicago Cubs

Cubs' Brad Wieck to have second heart procedure in two years

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Brad Wieck underwent a cardiac ablation procedure in February 2020 and was placed on the injured list July 9 with an irregular heartbeat.

July 23, 2021  |  Minnesota Vikings

Report: Vikings assistant Rick Dennison out after refusing COVID-19 vaccine shot

It is believed to be the first parting between coach and team over vaccinations. 

July 23, 2021  |  NFL

NFL doesn't believe teams will cut unvaccinated players despite threat of forfeits

Back in May, NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash offered harsh reactions