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

Cowboys' Leighton Vander Esch 'trusts their plan' amid trade rumors

Leighton Vander Esch said Thursday he still has a great relationship with Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones and owner Jerry Jones. 

RB Frank Gore still wants to play but is willing to retire

Five-time Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore turned 38 years old last month but is not ready to hang his cleats up just yet.

White Sox's Andrew Vaughn on COVID-19 IL, is asymptomatic

The Chicago White Sox will be without rookie outfielder Andrew Vaughn for an unknown amount of time.

Texans' Tyrod Taylor ready to replace Deshaun Watson as starting QB

Houston signed Taylor, in part, because he worked under current passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton when both were with the Los Angeles Chargers last year. 

Cleveland Indians finalizing list for new team name

In total, Cleveland has narrowed the list of potential names from 1,198 candidates, none of which have any association with Native American culture.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes 'able to play' today coming off toe surgery

Last week, head coach Andy Reid said his starting QB wasn't limited in workouts.

Gambler gets 36 months probation for threatening Rays players, other athletes

The U.S. Department of Justice says Patz targeted over 300 total social media accounts associated with athletes, significant others and their family members. 

England's Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Euro 2020 with thigh injury

The statement continued that manager Gareth Southgate will not announce Alexander-Arnold's replacement on the squad until after Sunday's friendly versus Romania. 

Tom Brady's knee was 'not 100 percent' all 2020 NFL season?

Brady confirmed in early March he underwent surgery on that knee following his latest Super Bowl victory.

Report: NFL wants to play regular-season games in Germany

According to NFL Network, 2.2 million people in Germany tuned in to watch at least some of Super Bowl LV.

Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski retiring to spend more time with family

Coach K said that he and his wife "decided the journey is going to be over in a year" but emphasized he's committed to pursuing one more championship before he rides off into the sunset. 

Wizards haven't yet decided on future of coach Scott Brooks

Star guard Russell Westbrook, who previously played under Brooks with the Oklahoma City Thunder, went to bat for his coach Wednesday night.

Yankees' Corey Kluber could begin throwing program soon, still expected to miss two months

Boone said that Kluber could begin a recovery throwing program much sooner than expected as he works to return from the sub-scapular strain in his throwing shoulder that he suffered on May 25.

Lions in contract talks with three-time Pro Bowl RB Todd Gurley?

Gurley played alongside new Detroit quarterback Jared Goff when both were with the Los Angeles Rams until Gurley was released in March 2020.

NFL keeping COVID-related roster rules for 2021 and beyond?

Leagues and competitions around the world had to alter rules and create health and safety protocols to resume play amid the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Some of those changes may become permanent moving forward. 

Bears' Andy Dalton planning to start over rookie Justin Fields

Former Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton signed with the Chicago Bears in March to serve as QB1 ahead of anybody else on the roster, including Ohio State Buckeyes star and first-round selection Justin Fields.

Nationals' Stephen Strasburg back on IL with neck strain

Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg cannot get right this spring.

Zero NBA players positive for COVID-19 once again

It's the second consecutive week the Association hasn't recorded a single positive result during the postseason tournament. 

Churchill Downs suspends trainer Bob Baffert for two years

Hours after reports surfaced on Wednesday that a second blood test from Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit confirmed the presence of the steroid betamethasone, Churchill Downs suspended legendary trainer Bob Baffert for two years.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur unsure if Aaron Rodgers will attend mandatory minicamp

The standoff between disgruntled quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst regarding the future of the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player continues into June. 

Virginia Tech LB Isi Etute charged with second-degree murder

ESPN's David M. Hale and Ben Kercheval of CBS Sports explained Wednesday that Virginia Tech Hokies freshman linebacker Isi Etute has been arrested and

Ravens QB coach: Lamar Jackson contract talks won't 'be a distraction'

Jackson had his fifth-year option picked up in April and recently suggested he could see himself staying put through the remainder of his career.

Maple Leafs captain John Tavares doesn't remember hits that caused concussion, knee injury

Tavares added that he has not yet seen a replay from Game 1 and that Canadiens forward Corey Perry, who accidentally clipped him in the head, reached out to him after that contest.