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

Aspen Ladd-Macy Chiasson fight off after unsettling incident during weigh-in

Ladd previously visibly struggled during her weigh-in ahead of her matchup against Germaine de Randamie in July 2019 and then suffered a 16-second knockout loss the following evening.  

Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook 'expects' to play vs. Browns

Cook was sidelined for the Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks because of the right ankle sprain he suffered during the loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 19. 

Giants' Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Ben Bredeson out vs. Saints

Shepard and Slayton are both dealing with hamstring injuries, while Bredeson hurt his hand in last Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. 

Bengals RB Joe Mixon suffered 'minor' ankle injury in win over Jaguars

The good news for concerned Cincinnati fans everywhere is that the Bengals don't play again until they face the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 10, so Mixon has some extra time to get right.

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt back from groin injury, on track to play vs. Packers

Thus far, Watt has accumulated seven total tackles, three sacks, six quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one tackle for a loss this season. 

Buccaneers QB Tom Brady yelling more during practices ahead of Patriots game?

Most involved aren't pretending this Week 4 showdown is just a normal football game, Brady included.

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson returns to practice amid back issue

By all accounts, should be good to go for Sunday's showdown in Denver.

Report: NBA players reach 95% COVID-19 vaccination threshold

Players who miss games only because they're not vaccinated could be made to forfeit their pay for those contests. 

Giants' Saquon Barkley on struggles: 'I'm never going to make any excuses'

Since Week 1, the 24-year-old star running back has tallied 134 rushing yards with a touchdown on 39 carries, good for 3.4 yards per attempt, and also nine catches for 56 yards. 

Super Bowl LVI halftime show to feature Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar

The Weeknd entertained and, in some cases, confused viewers who watched his performance at halftime of Super Bowl LV this past February. Super Bowl LVI will be the first to occur at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the halftime show for the upcoming championship game will be unlike any in history.  According to the NFL's website, Dr.

Report: 'Nothing firm has materialized' on Texans trading Deshaun Watson

Watson is set to remain a paid unused asset as the Nov. 2 trade deadline slowly approaches. 

Luis Rojas: Mets players are a 'special' group

Rojas isn't attached to the Mets past the last game of the year, and he seemed to offer an unofficial farewell.

Broncos' Von Miller hyped to play 'worthy opponent' in Ravens

It seems Von Miller and others within the club have heard and read the criticisms put out there about the unbeaten Broncos. 

Patrick Mahomes 'excited' to see how Chiefs respond to being 1-2

Patrick Mahomes has never been in a 1-2 situation with the Chiefs before, and he's interest to see how his team responds to the adversity.

Coyotes to fully relax NHL player dress code

Players were allowed to dress as they wished while in the playoff "bubbles" created in Toronto and Edmonton in 2020, but the policy reverted to what's mentioned in the collective bargaining agreement for last season. 

Buccaneers' Tom Brady on playing Patriots: 'They know I want to kick their butt this week'

At least some Patriots fans have made it clear their allegiances belong to their beloved club, and Brady left no doubt when speaking to reporters Thursday he's concentrating on earning an important victory in front of a national television audience. 

Tom Brady, Mac Jones to set NFL record for largest age gap between starting QBs

Interestingly, Brady holds the current mark for when he played against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers last season but could break his new record before the 2021 campaign closes.

Notre Dame QB Jack Coan improving from ankle injury ahead of Cincinnati clash

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters Thursday that Coan split time taking first-team practice reps with backup Drew Pyne this week but is improving from the setback.

Cardinals' Adam Wainwright to start NL wild-card game

Wainwright, a three-time All-Star and one-time World Series champion, is 17-7 with a 3.05 ERA this season.

Giants OC Jason Garrett thinking about improving, not losing play-calling duties

For now, the play-calling job is Garrett's to lose, but he may be four quarters away from losing it depending on what occurs at the Caesars Superdome Sunday afternoon.

Damien Woody: Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger 'washed,' 'worst quarterback' in division

Things get no easier for Roethlisberger and company, as they head to Lambeau Field to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan squashes idea of using two-quarterback system

Shanahan later told the media he never changed his mind about the quarterback issue and added he always only planned to play Lance in certain "situations" this fall.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani won't pitch again this year

Ohtani is set to remain in the lineup as the Angels' designated hitter through Sunday. 

Buccaneers' Richard Sherman: Arrest, counseling 'led to some really positive changes'

Sherman faces five misdemeanor charges and is accused of, among other things, crashing a vehicle into a cement freeway barrier while intoxicated, attempting to force his way into the residence, and resisting arrest.