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

Kraken, Panthers to share AHL's Charlotte Checkers next season

Seattle's Palm Springs AHL franchise won't begin play until the fall of 2022 due to arena construction delays.

Leonard Fournette couldn't believe Jaguars cut him

Before running back Leonard Fournette joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late last summer and went on to earn a Super Bowl ring, he was cut by the Jacksonville

Bears, Dolphins plan for joint practices in August

The Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins will get a good look at each other before they face off in a preseason game on Aug. 14.  

Canadiens' Joel Armia game-time decision for Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final

Armia has been cleared and is taking a private plane to Tampa.

Cleveland's Josh Naylor has closed fracture and ankle dislocation

Cleveland Indians outfielder Josh Naylor went down with a horrific leg injury during Sunday's game at the Minnesota Twins.

Clippers' Kawhi Leonard out for Game 4 vs. Suns with knee injury

Leonard did not travel to Phoenix for the opening two matchups of the series and is reportedly dealing with an ACL setback that has put the remainder of his playoffs in jeopardy.

Mercury guard Diana Taurasi cleared to return Sunday vs. Sparks

The Mercury confirmed Friday that Taurasi has been cleared to return for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks after missing the past month with a fractured sternum.

OT Morgan Moses signs one-year, $3.6M deal with Jets

Moses started every game for Washington from 2015 through 2020, and he instantly improves a Jets offensive line now tasked with keeping Zach Wilson upright.

Canadiens vs. Lightning Stanley Cup Final schedule is set

The Montreal Canadiens will take on the Lightning beginning Monday, June 28.

Phillies' Aaron Nola ties Tom Seaver with 10 consecutive strikeouts

Nola doubled later in the game to drive in the first run of the game.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku inspired by Michael Jordan, 'The Last Dance'

Lukaku made headlines earlier in the tournament when he confirmed players from Belgium and Denmark would pause in the 10th minute of their Euro 2020 match to honor Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, Lukaku's teammate at Serie A club Inter Milan, who suffered cardiac arrest and nearly died in Denmark's tournament opener against Finland.

Bruins sign Trent Frederic to two-year deal

The 23-year-old was due to become a restricted free agent following the upcoming Stanley Cup Final. 

Paris Saint-Germain sign Ethan Mbappe, younger brother of star Kylian Mbappe

The 15-year-old Ethan signed a three-year youth contract that runs through 2024.

Kevin Durant rejects claim he wants to win three NBA titles with Nets

In a twist that will surprise just about nobody who follows the NBA, Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant is once again displeased with somebody in the media. 

Saints won't request proof of vaccination to attend games, hope to not require masks

The New Orleans Saints explained why they haven't yet finalized plans for upcoming events and contests.

Vikings star CB Patrick Peterson encourages players to get COVID-19 vaccine shots

Peterson is fully vaccinated and said he felt "perfectly fine" after receiving the vaccine. 

65% of NFL players have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose

Unvaccinated players will have to follow protocols similar to those embraced for the 2020 season, such as wearing approved face coverings and not being permitted to leave team hotels while traveling for road games

23 MLB clubs now at 85% vaccination threshold for relaxed COVID-19 protocols

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association enjoyed a relatively quiet and positive week on the COVID-19 front. 

Premier League funding defibrillators to grassroots football following Christian Eriksen incident

Eriksen was resuscitated via CPR and a defibrillator during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener versus Finland earlier this month. 

Some NFL teams might not have new alternate helmets until 2023?

It might be too late for some teams to take advantage of the NFL's new rule about alternate helmets.

Former UFC champion Rashad Evans to unretire, wants marquee boxing match

Evans is coming out of retirement and eyeing a marquee boxing match that will generate headlines and, ideally, pay-per-view buys.

Broncos' Jerry Jeudy: QB competition improving both Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Lock

Earlier this month, Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio told reporters it was "too early" to make any real conclusions about the quarterback competition between veteran Teddy Bridgewater and 2019 draft pick Drew Lock.

Stars sign forward Rhett Gardner to two-year deal

The Dallas Stars locked down one of their own for at least a couple of years on Thursday. Dallas has confirmed the signing of forward Rhett Gardner to a new two-year contract.