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

Penguins star Sidney Crosby remains on COVID-19 list, misses practice

Penguins assistant coach Todd Reirden also wasn't available on Tuesday due to COVID-19 protocols.

Mavericks' Luka Doncic doubtful vs. Thunder but could play in All-Star Game

The 22-year-old is dealing with low back tightness.

Buccaneers' Tom Brady confirms he underwent knee surgery

The 43-year-old who has, throughout the years, been tight-lipped about his health and football-related injuries also admitted that he is recovering from surgery on his left knee. 

Free-agent LB Bud Dupree will be ready for training camp despite suffering torn ACL in December?

Dupree tallied 11.5 sacks in 2019 and then followed that up with eight quarterback takedowns in 2020 before he was sidelined by the injury.

QB Tyrod Taylor '100%' after accidental punctured lung

Veteran journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a punctured lung while accepting a pain-killing injection when he was atop the depth chart of the Los Angeles Chargers in September.

Raiders Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller has 'all the belief in the world in Derek Carr'

Derek Carr's teammates continue to come to his defense amid trade speculation.

Thunder become first NBA team to prohibit fans for entire season due to COVID-19

Eighteen NBA clubs currently either permit percentages of spectators to attend games or have plans to do so before the season ends.

'Everything is on the table' for Bears at QB in 2021

The Chicago Bears rotated between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles as starting quarterbacks during the 2020 NFL season. That experiment went so poorly that the Bears have now been linked with any and every available quarterback.

Trevor Lawrence feeling better than expected weeks after shoulder surgery

Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, recently underwent a procedure on his left shoulder.

Vikings release two-time Pro Bowl TE Kyle Rudolph

While he made Pro Bowl squads in 2012 and 2017, his overall production declined in each of the past two seasons. 

Rockets will retire No. 13 to honor James Harden

Harden joined the Rockets via a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in October 2012 and went on to make All-Star squads in each of his eight completed seasons with Houston.

Soccer legend Pele receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Brazilian soccer living legend Pele announced via social media on Tuesday that he has received what the Associated Press called his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Odell Beckham Jr. 'doing great' recovering from torn ACL

After Cleveland's playoff elimination at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs in January, Beckham said that "it was a bittersweet season being on the outside looking in" as the Browns made their first trip to the postseason in 18 years. 

Terry Francona: 'No one has deliberately covered up' allegations against Mickey Callaway

The Athletic dropped another bombshell report regarding former Cleveland Indians pitching coach and former New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway on Tuesday.

J.J. Watt: Leaving Texans 'was extremely difficult'

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt left the only NFL home he'd known since the 2011 draft when he and the Houston Texans officially parted ways on Feb. 12.

Former All-Pro RB David Johnson takes pay cut to stay with Texans

The Texans and Johnson have agreed to a new one-year deal that includes $4.25 million in fully guaranteed money and could be worth up to $6 million, including incentives.

FB Alec Ingold: Derek Carr can take Raiders to Super Bowl

With rumors swirling that the Raiders may look to upgrade from Carr, at least one teammate has his QB's back.

Mets' Francisco Lindor doesn't like 'Frankie' nickname?

Lindor has repeatedly said he's willing to commit his future to the organization but has added that he doesn't want negotiations to run past Opening Day and the start of the regular season. 

J.J. Watt receives permission to wear No. 99 with Cardinals

Three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time First-Team All-Pro J.J. Watt temporarily broke NFL Twitter on Monday when he announced that he was signing a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.

Browns, Colts didn't offer J.J. Watt more money than Cardinals?

Hours after some accused three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and five-time First-Team All-Pro J.J. Watt of chasing money instead of a Super Bowl title by signing a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby on COVID-19 protocol list

It's not publicly known if Crosby tested positive for the virus or has been deemed a high-risk close contact.

Browns, Colts offered J.J. Watt more money than Cardinals?

Watt's two-year deal with the Cardinals could be worth up to $31 million.

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola says he'll sit players already celebrating league title

City haven't lost since November and remain in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup competitions.

Alabama planning for full football stadium in the fall

With the university planning to open in-person instruction without restrictions on classroom capacity for the fall term, the hope is that Bryant-Denny Stadium will again return to a capacity of 100,077 fans in September. 

LB Pernell McPhee wants to stay with Ravens

Pro Football Focus is predicting McPhee's injury history and age could force him to sign a one-year deal that carries only $500,000 in guaranteed money.