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

Could Yankees eye Michael Brantley as DJ LeMahieu replacement?

By all accounts, the New York Yankees are committed to bringing second baseman and 2020 MVP candidate DJ LeMahieu back on a new contract, but in case they're unable to, they may already have a replacement in mind.

Arsenal become first Premier League club to welcome fans back amid pandemic

Arsenal became the first top-flight English club to welcome fans to a stadium in 270 days since the COVID-19 pandemic caused the temporary stoppages of football competitions around the world. 

Texas Tech football coach Matt Wells tests positive for COVID-19

The Texas Tech Red Raiders confirmed on Thursday afternoon that head football coach Matt Wells has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Falcons Pro Bowl WR Julio Jones doesn't practice, could miss Saints game

Jones first injured the hamstring in the 38-25 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Report: At least four teams considering outdoor games in 2021

With no NHL schedule forthcoming anytime soon, based solely on appearances, clubs can throw anything at figurative walls to see what sticks. 

Ravens HC John Harbaugh won't say if QB Lamar Jackson will play vs. Cowboys

Baltimore was without Jackson during Wednesday's 19-14 defeat at Heinz Field, and head coach John Harbaugh refused to say if the QB will be available for the upcoming contest versus the Cowboys.

Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl won't allow fans due to COVID-19

If the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl are allowed to go on in early 2021 despite concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans won't be allowed to attend.

Seahawks WR Josh Gordon reinstated by NFL

Gordon will be eligible for Seattle's final two games of the regular season, contests versus the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.

New York Mets linked with All-Star catcher James McCann

McCann joined the Chicago White Sox in December 2018 and enjoyed two impressive seasons, one of which being the pandemic-shortened 60-game campaign, with the club.

Ryan Day: Ohio State will be 'short-handed' against Michigan State

Day recently tested positive for the coronavirus and won't be permitted to coach on the sideline, something he said will make the Michigan State contest "the hardest three hours of my life." 

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wants MMA to be Olympic sport

Nurmagomedov added that he believes there are "big chances" MMA is included in the 2028 Olympics held in Los Angeles. 

Colts activate DL Denico Autry off reserve/COVID-19 list

Autry is in the middle of the best season of his career and leads the Colts with six sacks.

UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez suspended six months for USADA violation

While active and in the USADA pool, all fighters are obligated to inform the agency of their location at all times using a smartphone app.

BYU to face Coastal Carolina in top 25 clash after Liberty cancels due to COVID-19

Coastal Carolina added that ESPN's "College GameDay" will broadcast live from its campus ahead of the game scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET and air on ESPNU. 

Braves non-tender one-time All-Star Adam Duvall

Duvall made his first and, to date, only All-Star appearance in 2016 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, and he joined the Braves via a trade in July 2018.

Las Vegas Bowl canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Had the game gone on, it would have featured a Pac-12 opponent facing a team from the Southeastern Conference. Big Ten programs will also participate in future editions of the bowl. 

48 NBA players are positive for COVID-19 in first testing round of new season

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the NBA and NBPA confirmed that 48 of 546 players tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of training camp sessions between Nov. 24-30.

Deshaun Watson campaigns for Texans to re-sign WR Will Fuller

The fifth-year option of Fuller's contract will expire during his six-game suspension, and Deshaun Watson made it clear that he wants one of his favorite targets to stay put. 

Bears to start QB Mitchell Trubisky vs. Lions

Trubisky possesses a total QBR of 54.2 for the campaign, which, according to ESPN, would have him ranked 26th overall among eligible signal-callers. 

Report: Yankees to tender a contract to catcher Gary Sanchez

The Yankees will tender a contract to Sanchez before Wednesday's deadline for arbitration-eligible players. It's projected that Sanchez will earn a salary of $5.5 million for the 2021 season. 

Giants QB Daniel Jones 'feeling better' but unsure about Seahawks game

Both the Giants and Washington Football Team are 4-7 and sit atop the NFC East standings, but Big Blue holds the tiebreaker thanks to sweeping Washington earlier in the season. 

Houston-SMU football game postponed again due to COVID-19?

The Cougars haven't played since a 56-21 win over the South Florida Bulls on Nov. 14. 

NFL medical chief defends playing Ravens-Steelers game despite COVID-19 outbreak

The league used intensive contact tracing tools, which include video surveillance, to determine which Baltimore personnel could travel to Pittsburgh.

Eagles activate Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz, place Pro Bowl RT Lane Johnson on IR

Ertz suffered a high ankle sprain in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 18 and hasn't played since.