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

Pistons' Blake Griffin to sit during trade, buyout discussions

Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin has seemingly played his last game with the Detroit Pistons.

Carabao Cup, FA Cup finals hoping for reduced-capacity crowds

Earlier this month, the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club declared that it hopes to welcome reduced-capacity crowds for this summer's Wimbledon Championships. The Football Association wishes to do the same for the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals. 

Chiefs' Mecole Hardman ready for larger role in offense

Speedster Mecole Hardman, the third-favorite target of quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the regular season, per ESPN stats, is ready to prove he can do more than just race past defensive backs.  

Clemson men’s basketball pauses again, postpones game at Notre Dame

The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team won't be playing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Wednesday.

Dozen teams already interested in All-Pro J.J. Watt?

Watt does not wish to link up with brothers T.J. and Derek, who are both with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Harden ‘more than confident’ Nets can beat any team in seven-game series

The Nets will face a difficult challenge on Saturday night when Kevin Durant  plays at the Golden State Warriors as an opponent for the first time since he won two titles and two NBA Finals MVP awards as a member of the Warriors.

Bobby Green-Jim Miller UFC 258 fight off after Green collapses following weigh-in

A lightweight fight between Bobby Green (27-11-1) and Jim Miller (32-15-0) scheduled for the main card of Saturday's UFC 258 pay-per-view is off.  

49ers president hopes vaccines will allow fans to return to NFL games

49ers president Al Guido told NFL Network's "NFL Now" on Friday that he believes the team owed this service to football fans and the community.

Could Jets get a first-round draft pick for QB Sam Darnold?

Some supposed quarterback whisperer such as Indianapolis coach Frank Reich may view Darnold as a low-risk, high-reward investment, even at the price of a first-round draft pick.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin doesn't blame Scotty Miller for phone mishap during boat parade

The popular perception online was that Miller dropped Godwin's phone into the water, either accidentally or on purpose, but Godwin somewhat cleared his teammate's name.

Heat's Tyler Herro cleared to play at Jazz following COVID-19 scare

An inconclusive test result made Herro unavailable for Miami’s 101-94 win over the Rockets on Thursday, but he has since returned multiple negative test results.

Ravens' Jimmy Smith, family safe after robbery at gunpoint

There were some questions about Smith's future both with the Ravens and the NFL in late December until he signed a one-year extension to remain with the franchise through the 2021 season.

UFC's Dana White: Jon Jones will fight Stipe Miocic-Francis Ngannou winner

Miocic, 38, toppled Ngannou in January 2018 and most recently  successfully defended the strap against former champion Daniel Cormier last August.

Giants waive WR Da'Mari Scott, CB Shakial Taylor

Both Scott and Taylor voluntarily opted out of this past campaign due to COVID-19 concerns, and Taylor never played a snap with Big Blue.

Could Blaine Gabbert eventually replace Tom Brady with Buccaneers?

Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert are two names rarely mentioned in the same sentence among those in the NFL community, but don't tell the Bucs GM that.

QB Ben Roethlisberger has not met with Steelers about restructuring contract?

As of early Friday morning, it was believed Roethlisberger and the Steelers would eventually agree to spread cap hits across the 2021 and 2022 seasons to give Pittsburgh needed cash ahead of free agency.

No. 3 Michigan to return Sunday at No. 21 Wisconsin

Michigan remains 13-1 overall and 8-1 in Big Ten action but only returned to practice following the pause this past Sunday. 

Nets' Kevin Durant available to play at Golden State after COVID-19 scare

Durant was pulled from a 123-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 5 due to contact-tracing protocols and missed the following three games.

USWNT star Alex Morgan 'was fairly sick' with COVID-19

Morgan addressed her bout with the coronavirus while speaking with reporters on Thursday. 

Could injury force Novak Djokovic out of Australian Open?

Djokovic's left foot slipped as he attempted to change directions, and he visibly favored his side during a medical timeout.

Jaguars coaches to attend Trevor Lawrence Pro Day

Clemson Tigers superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence will hold what one analyst called "a de facto Pro Day" on Friday, with Jacksonville Jaguars personnel expected to be in attendance.

Will Blue Jays have to play home games in Florida?

The Toronto Blue Jays might have to spend at least several months playing home games at their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida.

Khamzat Chimaev withdraws from UFC fight with Leon Edwards due to COVID-19

The bout between Khamzat Chimaev (9-0-0) and Leon Edwards (18-3-0) scheduled to take place on March 13 is canceled because Chimaev is still dealing with lingering physical effects caused by COVID-19. 

Memphis men's basketball game at No. 8 Houston postponed due to COVID-19

The Memphis Tigers have had a second game scrapped due to COVID-19 issues.

CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament canceled due to COVID-19

It's been announced that the CIT won't take place this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.