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

Francisco Lindor 'honored,' 'blessed,' 'humbled' after signing extension with Mets

Lindor spoke with reporters about his huge extension with the Mets.

Eric Staal hopes to practice with Canadiens on Sunday, debut still unknown

Veteran center Eric Staal joined the Montreal Canadiens via a trade from the Buffalo Sabres last Friday but hasn't been able to skate with his new teammates.

Buccaneers not worried about salary cap beyond 2021

The Buccaneers have done well to "keep the band together" following their Super Bowl LV triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs by agreeing to deals with core players that include voidable years.

Rio Open tennis tournament canceled due to COVID-19

Cristian Garin won the ATP 500 event in 2020. The Rio Open is the largest annual tennis tournament in South America.  

T.Y. Hilton 'gave up a lot of money' to re-sign with Colts

Hilton also said that the 2021 campaign could be his last. 

RB Boston Scott signs exclusive-rights tender with Eagles

Scott was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft but never made his official debut for that organization before the Eagles signed him off the New Orleans practice squad in December.

Buccaneers' Tom Brady recovering 'very well' from knee surgery

Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians previously said he believes Brady will be ready for 7-on-7 drills "somewhere around June."

Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon fined $5,000 for throwing helmet at Coyotes' Conor Garland

MacKinnon received a 10-minute misconduct for the crime. His fine money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Mets-Nationals series postponed through at least Friday due to COVID-19 concerns

The hope is the Nationals will host the Mets on Saturday, but the date for that game likely won't be confirmed until Friday at the earliest. 

Francisco Lindor, Mets approaching deadline without long-term contract

All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has repeatedly said he won't negotiate past Opening Day. 

Raptors' Kyle Lowry could miss five games with toe infection

The Raptors headed into Wednesday's showdown with the Thunder losers of 14 of their last 16 games and knowing that guard Kyle Lowry wouldn't be available due to a toe infection. 

Robert Kraft: Patriots must get QB position 'solidified'

Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke with reporters on Wednesday and admitted the club must strengthen the sport's most important position.

RB Leonard Fournette wants 'misunderstood' Antonio Brown back with Buccaneers

Running back Leonard Fournette campaigned for free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown to join the long list of recognizable names who elected to remain with the Buccaneers.

Investigators won't reveal cause of Tiger Woods crash

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that investigators have determined the cause of the single-car accident involving Tiger Woods. However, Villanueva explained that he won't be revealing the details of the accident because of unspecified privacy concerns. 

Giants not offering RB Saquon Barkley a contract extension anytime soon?

Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters on Wednesday the team is "not in any hurry" to work out a contract extension with the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Mets-Nationals Opening Day game in doubt due to COVID-19?

The Washington Nationals had at least one player test positive for COVID-19 ahead of Thursday's regular-season opener at home versus the Mets.

Penguins' Tristan Jarry likely out Thursday vs. Bruins?

Jarry, meanwhile, is "day-to-day," according to head coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan added that medical personnel advised him to remove Jarry from Monday's matchup after the opening period. 

Former Pro Bowl RB Phillip Lindsay thankful Broncos let him hit free agency

Lindsay signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the Houston Texans and is set to compete for touches with new backfield mates Mark Ingram and David Johnson.

NFL to relax COVID-19 protocols for vaccinated players, personnel?

Teams have been instructed to provide a list of players, coaches and other personnel fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in advance of potential relaxed restrictions.

Andy Murray could pursue soccer, golf gigs after tennis retirement

The three-time Grand Slam champion told Jonathan Wells of Gentleman's Journal he could remain in the sports world after he walks away from competitive tennis. 

Cleveland bans headdresses, painted faces at Progressive Field

Fans can still wear merchandise, including caps and shirts, that feature Chief Wahoo. Face paint that is deemed inoffensive, such as a depiction of the mascot Slider, is still permitted. 

Report: Bears chairman voted against 17-game NFL season

It's widely believed it's only a matter of time before the NFL expands the regular season to 18 games, and that reality makes George McCaskey's dissenting vote all the more curious. 

Francis Ngannou wants to fight Jon Jones, but Jones wants more money

Jones, widely viewed as the greatest all-around competitor in UFC history, suggested last June that he could "sit out for two years, three years" if White didn't meet his asking price for a return to the Octagon.

Official passes out during USC-Gonzaga Elite Eight game

The opening minutes of Tuesday's Elite Eight showdown between the USC Trojans and Gonzaga Bulldogs were overshadowed by a scary incident involving a referee.