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

Colts' Jacob Eason to start, play most of first half vs. Panthers

2020 fourth-round draft pick Jacob Eason and 2021 sixth-round draft selection Sam Ehlinger are competing for the right to temporarily replace Wentz atop the depth chart.

Mets' Javier Baez on injured list with back spasms

The news somehow continues to go from bad to worse for the New York Mets.

All-Star SS Brandon Crawford signs two-year, $32 million extension with Giants

Crawford and the Giants have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $32 million that now keeps the 34-year-old attached to the club through the 2023 season. 

Nets to require fans, employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend games

Fans of the New Orleans Saints learned earlier this week that they will have to show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus

Mets' Jacob deGrom shut down two more weeks; season in doubt?

There are now serious concerns that New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom won't face another batter in a competitive MLB game until 2022.  Per the official league

Dodgers' Mookie Betts doesn't need surgery on hip; no timetable for return

Betts will attempt to play through the issue when he returns and then possibly have offseason surgery to address the matter. 

Fans give Arsenal's Bukayo Saka standing ovation after racist abuse

Saka entered the match in the 59th minute and received a standing ovation from both the home and away supporters.

Grand jury investigation open regarding Deshaun Watson allegations?

The NFL's handling of similar matters practically guarantees Watson will be banned from playing via the commissioner's exempt list if he's indicted. It seems unlikely he'll take snaps in any exhibition games for Houston this month. 

Giants quarterback Mike Glennon 'anxious' to start vs. Jets

Throughout his career, Glennon has completed 599 of 980 passes for 6,235 yards with 43 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Bears DT Eddie Goldman activated from reserve/COVID-19 list

Goldman put pen to paper on a four-year extension that could be worth roughly $42 million with $25 million in guarantees back in September 2018.

Broncos RB Mike Boone out four to six weeks with quad injury

Across his three seasons with Minnesota, Boone rushed for 379 yards and four touchdowns before signing with Denver as a free agent in March. 

'A ton' of star NFL players are opposed to COVID-19 vaccines?

While touching upon the subject of the NFL and NFLPA potentially agreeing to mandatory player vaccines, one report states that "'a ton' of star players are opposed to the vaccine

Lionel Messi won't make Paris Saint-Germain debut Saturday vs. Strasbourg

Excited Paris Saint-Germain supporters will have to wait a little longer to see Lionel Messi wear the shirt in a competitive game.

Dodgers ace Trevor Bauer has administrative leave extended through Aug. 20

Los Angeles Dodgers ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer will remain out of action for at least another week.  According to an ESPN report, Bauer's paid administrative leave has been extended another seven days through Aug.

Report: Harry Kane skipped Tottenham training amid links to Manchester City

It's been reported that Tottenham did expect Kane back at training Aug. 2. Instead, the 28-year-old allegedly told his current employer he'd return the subsequent weekend.

Five NFL teams below 88% COVID-19 vaccination rate

Back on Aug. 3, it was learned that 27 teams had reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold among players that allows for the loosening of certain restrictions and protocols related to the virus.  As of Thursday, five clubs were still below an 88% vaccination rate.

WR Larry Fitzgerald heading back to Cardinals?

A tweet from Larry Fitzgerald's father has fueled speculation that the wideout might be returning to the Cardinals.

Kawhi Leonard staying with Clippers via four-year, $176.3M deal

Leonard is a five-time All-Star who averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 52 regular-season games during the 2020-21 campaign.

Jim Irsay says Colts' Carson Wentz will return only when '100 percent'

Colts owner Jim Irsay made it clear on Thursday his coaching staff won't be rushing Wentz back ahead of schedule. 

U.S. Open qualifying rounds closed to spectators due to COVID-19

The USTA confirmed Thursday that spectators will not be allowed to attend qualifying matches because of fears and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

49ers to start Jimmy Garoppolo over Trey Lance vs. Chiefs

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week that both veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Trey Lance will see action during meaningful regular-season games beginning in September. That will also be the plan this weekend. 

Ronald Koeman: Barcelona must 'close the book' on Lionel Messi era

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman told ESPN's Martin Ainstein his club must now move on from Messi's departure heading into Sunday's La Liga season opener versus Real Sociedad. 

Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer: 'I love' Gardner Minshew

Whatever the reasoning behind Meyer's words, Minshew will have an opportunity to impress onlookers when Jacksonville opens the preseason versus the Cleveland Browns on Saturday evening. 

Andrew Copp signs one-year, $3.64M deal with Jets

Before Winnipeg confirmed the Copp contract, the forward had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug. 26.

Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard shoots down Lakers trade rumors?

On Thursday, it appeared Lillard shut down any idea that he could join the Los Angeles Lakers before or during the 2021-22 NBA season.