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

Anthony Davis likely out through All-Star break with injury?

Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis sat out the second half of Sunday's 122-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets due to aggravating the tendinosis in his right Achilles.

Browns will 'take a look at, discuss' signing All-Pro J.J. Watt?

Less than 12 hours after the Houston Texans officially released three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, it's being reported that a suitor to sign him may already be in play.

Three-time Pro Bowl WR Vincent Jackson found dead at age 38

Former San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was found dead inside the Homewood Suites in Brandon, Florida on Monday morning.

Broncos' Mike Purcell 'can't wait' to return from season-ending surgery

Denver Broncos starting nose tackle Mike Purcell was lost for the 2020 season in late October after it was revealed that he required surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury.

Marlins to allow fans at roughly 25% of capacity

Some college football, NFL, NBA and NHL teams have welcomed fans at  reduced capacities over the past 11 months, while the UFC has routinely  held shows behind closed doors at the UFC Apex located in Las Vegas.

Suns assign rookie Jalen Smith to G League

According to ESPN stats, he has averaged 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game, and he recorded a player efficiency rating of 7.77.

Buccaneers almost cut Leonard Fournette ahead of playoffs?

Leonard Fournette nearly found himself off the team after Bucs head coach Bruce Arians benched him after Week 14 due to the RB's vocal unhappiness over being relegated to the sideline.

Boston College fires men's basketball coach Jim Christian

The Boston College Eagles men's basketball team has endured a pandemic-altered season to forget, one that includes the squad dropping 13 of 16 games. 

Bears' Eddie Goldman expected to return following COVID-19 opt out

While Eddie Goldman and others won't have to report for team activities until months down the road, the Bears are already planning for the 27-year-old to be back in the lineup. 

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.