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

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.

Frankie Edgar temporarily lost memory after knockout loss to Cory Sandhagen

Edgar explained that his memory began to return as he was being transported to a local hospital. He was released later that night. 

Valparaiso dropping Crusaders name, mascot, logos due to association with hate groups

A committee will be formed "to engage the campus community in considering and adopting a new mascot."  

Did Tom Brady win Super Bowl LV with injured knee?

First-year Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady built upon his G.O.A.T. status by breaking his own records and winning a seventh Super Bowl championship, and more impressively, he may have done so while at less than 100 percent.

Jaguars release LB Kamalei Correa

Linebacker Kamalei Correa won't be returning to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Ivy League to allow graduate students to play during 2021-22 seasons due to COVID-19 pandemic

As Jeff Borzello wrote for ESPN, the Ivy League typically does not allow athletic redshirts or permit graduate students to participate in recognized athletic competitions.

Wizards star Bradley Beal out Friday vs. Knicks

Beal may not be going anywhere in the way of a trade this winter, but he will begin the weekend as a spectator. 

Colts, 49ers interested in trading for Jets QB Sam Darnold?

According to numerous reports, Darnold would cost much less than Carson Wentz in a trade, and the Colts are left without a starting quarterback following the retirement of Philip Rivers. The 49ers, meanwhile, could save over $21 million in salary-cap space by cutting or trading often-injured starter Jimmy Garoppolo.