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

SEC to force forfeits if teams can't play due to COVID-19

The SEC became the final Power 5 conference to publicly outline policies for games missed due to COVID-19. 

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh defends playing J.K. Dobbins in preseason finale

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins will miss the entire 2021 season because of the torn ACL he suffered in Saturday's preseason-closing victory.

USMNT's Timothy Weah to miss World Cup qualifiers due to injury

The United States men's national team will be without a goal-scoring option when they open their upcoming round of World Cup qualifying matches this week.

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau likely lost for season after ankle surgery

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish open the 2021 college football season at the Florida State Seminoles on Sunday but already experienced a costly loss.

Pirates fire hitting coach Rick Eckstein

Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington reacted to the team's last-place rankings in various offensive categories by firing hitting coach Rick Eckstein on Monday. 

Brian Flores: Dolphins want 'high character' players amid Deshaun Watson rumors

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson generated massive buzz over the weekend by reporting the Miami Dolphins were front-runners to land Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Jennifer Brady withdraws from U.S. Open with injury

Dzevad Mesic of Tennis World USA noted for a piece published Aug. 18 that Brady had been carrying the unspecified injury throughout the summer. 

Report: Oklahoma-Tulane game to be relocated due to Hurricane Ida

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg wrote that Tulane "has contingency plans" to play Saturday's matchup currently scheduled to begin at noon ET in Oklahoma.

Week 1 Packers-Saints game could be moved to AT&T Stadium due to Hurricane Ida

It appears the lingering impacts of Hurricane Ida could prevent the Saints from opening the regular season at home. 

Real Madrid to wait until January to try to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe?

Mbappe's contract expires after this season, and he has reportedly rejected all offers of an extension from PSG because his dream is to relocate to Madrid and play home matches at the Bernabeu.

Fans must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend U.S. Open

U.S. Open organizers had not planned to require guests to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to attend the event held in New York City. That has changed.

Red Sox's Hernandez, Arroyo 'out for an extended period' due to COVID-19

COVID-19 is still a real threat to the MLB schedule.

Big 12: 'Nothing imminent' on potential expansion

It was reported Thursday the Big 12 was not "in a rush to make a move" toward expansion after Texas and Oklahoma previously announced their planned defections

Cardinals-Saints preseason finale canceled due to Hurricane Ida

The Saints announced their Saturday contest versus the Cardinals has been canceled.

Novak Djokovic says finishing calendar-year Grand Slam would be career highlight

Djokovic already won this year's Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon tournaments.

Case against Dodgers' Trevor Bauer handed over to district attorney

The district attorney will determine whether or not to bring charges against Bauer. 

John Lynch hints Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance will both play for 49ers this season

The 49ers appear to be sticking with Jimmy Garoppolo for now, but it sounds like Trey Lance will find the field even if Garoppolo holds down the QB1 spot. 

Mountain West to force forfeits for teams unable to play due to COVID-19

Add the Mountain West Conference to the list of leagues not intending to shift or delay schedules during fall seasons because of issues related to the coronavirus.

NBA says most non-playing staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19

The NBA informed teams of widespread vaccination requirements for staff. 

Police Scotland arrest two men charged with racist abuse toward Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi

A video posted on social media last Sunday showed individuals wearing Rangers shirts singing at least one racist song and making offensive eye gestures about Furuhashi.

Notre Dame football won't require masks, COVID-19 vaccinations to attend home games

The University of Notre Dame is requiring that all students returning to campus be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but that won't be the case for people attending home football games. 

Dodgers SP Trevor Bauer's administrative leave extended through Sept. 3

It was reported in late July a "majority" of Bauer's Los Angeles teammates don't want him back with the club this season regardless of the outcomes of investigations in the allegations he faces.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield to make preseason debut vs. Falcons

Mayfield sat out exhibition wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.

Cristiano Ronaldo bids farewell to Juventus; could make Manchester United re-debut Sept. 11

Ronaldo joined the Italian giants from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018 and went on to guide Juventus to a pair of Serie A titles.

Cardinals-Saints preseason finale pushed up due to Tropical Storm Ida

The start time has moved up seven hours to accommodate preparations for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ida.