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

South Carolina football planning for full capacity, tailgating for 2021 season

The South Carolina Athletics Department announced Wednesday it is planning for both full capacity and tailgating areas at Williams-Brice Stadium for the 2021 season.

Ravens' Marquise Brown to wear Joe Flacco's old No. 5

Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown announced via Twitter he is switching back to No. 5, the number he wore while playing for the Oklahoma Sooners, from No. 15.

Browns GM hints Baker Mayfield could soon get contract extension?

The Cleveland Browns exercised the fifth-year option for quarterback Baker Mayfield last month, a move that links the former No. 1 overall pick with the franchise through at least the 2022 NFL season. 

USL investigating alleged racist taunts during Loudoun United-Red Bulls II match

Following the game, Red Bulls II center back Mandela Egbo tweeted about hearing "monkey chants" aimed at New York players.

Padres activate Fernando Tatis Jr., Eric Hosmer from COVID-19 IL

Both landed on the IL last week due to MLB's health and safety protocols, and Tatis tested positive for COVID-19. Hosmer, meanwhile, was deemed a high-risk close contact.

Harry Kane appears to bid farewell to Tottenham fans amid transfer speculation

Kane has repeatedly been linked with new champions of England Manchester City and also Manchester United in transfer rumors.

Former NHL veteran Jussi Jokinen retires at 38

Jokinen spent time with nine NHL clubs from 2005 through the end of the 2017-18 campaign and recorded 191 goals and 372 assists for 563 points across 951 career regular-season contests.

Eagles' Jalen Hurts ready to compete for starting job

Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus analyst and former QB Bruce Gradkowski named Hurts the NFL's second-worst starting signal-caller behind only Drew Lock of the Denver Broncos.

PGA Tour eliminates indoor mask mandate for vaccinated players

Unvaccinated players must continue to wear masks until further notice.

QB Matthew Stafford 'very excited' about playing for Rams

Stafford added he wants to follow in the footsteps of Rich Gannon, Carson Palmer, and, most recently, Tom Brady as veteran signal-callers who found success with different clubs in the twilights of their careers.

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker wants Tiger Woods as vice captain

It's unknown if the all-time great will be able to attend the anticipated event held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Sept. 24-26.

49ers always planned to keep Jimmy Garoppolo?

John Lynch said he was honest with Garoppolo about the team drafting a new signal-caller but confirmed the intention was always to retain him as a mentor.

Ravens' Tavon Young on pace to return from torn ACL for training camp

He is scheduled to earn $5.845 million in 2022, the final year of the agreement. 

Angels' Mike Trout out six to eight weeks with calf strain

The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Cleveland Indians on Monday night but lost something more valuable than a game in the process. 

Giants claim RB Ryquell Armstead off waivers from Jaguars

Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead didn't remain available for long and will have an opportunity to revive his NFL career with an NFC East club.

Broncos waive WR DaeSean Hamilton with non-football injury designation

It's highly likely he won't play again until 2022 preseason games unless he ventures outside the NFL early next year. 

Brewers' Christian Yelich returns from IL, batting third vs. Royals

It seemed earlier on Tuesday the Milwaukee Brewers would bring two-time All-Star and 2018 National League Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich back from

Mets' Kevin Pillar heads to IL, wanted to play despite nasal fractures

New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar was involved in one of the scariest scenes of the 2021 MLB season, to date, when he was hit in the face with a 95-mph fastball Monday night.

Packers' Aaron Rodgers to appear on Kenny Mayne's final ESPN show

Mayne is leaving ESPN after 27 years with the network.

Bucks' Thanasis Antetokounmpo out at least two weeks with knee injury

Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a reserve forward for the Bucks who has appeared in 57 games and made three starts during the 2020-21 campaign. He is averaging 2.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 9.7 minutes per game. 

QB Matt Ryan wanted Falcons to draft TE Kyle Pitts

The Falcons selected Pitts with the fourth pick of this year's NFL Draft.

Braves' Jacob Webb texted Mets' Kevin Pillar after scary HBP

The 27-year-old added that it was "a little difficult" decompressing immediately after the game because the pitch was still fresh on his mind. 

ESPN Films confirms multi-part docuseries on Derek Jeter for 2022

"The Captain," which will debut on in 2022, will detail Jeter's on- and off-the-field exploits during his storied Yankees tenure that will be celebrated when he is officially enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame this July.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow on track to return from torn ACL, MCL for Week 1

Burrow finished his shortened debut season with 2,688 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with five interceptions. 

DeMaurice Smith criticizes 'stupidity' of Bills GM's comments on cutting unvaccinated players

The NFL and NFL Players Association aren't mandating that players get vaccinated to participate in offseason activities or the 2021 season, and NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith lashed out at Beane