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

Jets rookie WR Denzel Mims out vs. Seahawks due to family emergency

The New York Jets' attempt to defeat the Seattle Seahawks and avoid going 0-13 just got all the more difficult.

West Virginia football pauses, game vs. Oklahoma canceled

This is the second time a game between the two schools had to be called off because of concerns related to the health crisis.

Titans place first-round pick Isaiah Wilson on reserve/NFI list

The tumultuous rookie season of Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson appears to be over.

Texans' Deshaun Watson holds nothing against Bears for not drafting him

Despite what could have been, Watson feels no ill will toward the club that passed on him.

SMU Mustangs to play in Frisco Bowl

The SMU Mustangs will play one more football game this year. 

Kyler Murray not worried about Cardinals offense heading into Giants game

Despite a poor run of form and the fact that Murray is likely no longer even an MVP afterthought, the signal-caller believes his offense is close to righting the ship.

James Harden must produce six consecutive negative COVID-19 tests before joining Rockets

Harden recently violated NBA coronavirus-related protocols when he attended parties and social gatherings in Atlanta and Las Vegas without wearing a face covering. 

Could Carolina Panthers be punished for COVID-19 outbreak?

Carolina discovered no new positive test results overnight into Tuesday, but the NFL could still fine the Panthers or strip the organization of a draft pick for violations of health and safety protocols.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield earns FedEx Air Player of the Week honors

Mayfield tossed four touchdowns in the first half and ended the Tennessee game with 334 passing yards, a passer rating of 147.0 and a total QBR of 87.6.

Columbus Crew confirm new positive COVID-19 case ahead of MLS Cup final

Columbus Crew mixed some concerning news with positivity ahead of Saturday's MLS Cup final against the Seattle Sounders.

Former UFC star Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson signs with Bellator

Former UFC title contender and knockout artist Anthony "Rumble" Johnson is back, but not in the way most expected.

Purdue, Indiana mutually agree to cancel game due to COVID-19

Both teams are dealing with COVID-19 issues.

NC State men's basketball pauses, cancels at least one game

NC State is set to play at the Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 16, and the status of that game is unknown.

Washington pauses football activities, Oregon game in question due to COVID

If the Huskies cannot safely field a team, they would be named winners of the Pac-12 North and go through to the conference championship game on Dec. 18. It is, however, unknown if a COVID-19 outbreak or other virus-related issues would prevent Washington from taking the field so soon after its pause. 

Giants 'optimistic' QB Daniel Jones can play vs. Cardinals

Jones injured his right hamstring in the third quarter of the 19-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 29.

Report: Big Ten amends rule, plans for Ohio State-Northwestern conference championship game

The Big Ten is amending a previously announced rule that mandated schools must complete a minimum of six contests during the pandemic-shortened campaign to be eligible for the league title game.

Browns-Giants Week 15 game flexed to Sunday night

The Browns and Giants both head into the second full weekend of December on four-game winning streaks.

Titans WR Adam Humphries placed on injured reserve

Humphries has played in seven games during his second campaign with the Titans and tallied 23 receptions for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Indiana football pauses activities; Purdue game in doubt

Earlier in the day, reports surfaced that Purdue canceled practice "to evaluate the results of recent COVID-19 testing."

Hurricanes safety Al Blades Jr. out for season with myocarditis

Blades, a junior, tallied 29 total tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended in eight games with Miami but hasn't played since the 25-24 win over the Virginia Tech Hokies on Nov. 14.

Frank Vogel: LeBron, AD likely won't play in Lakers preseason opener

The Los Angeles Lakers begin the defense of their NBA title by opening the preseason versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, but it looks like their superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis won't be playing yet.

DePaul men's basketball pauses, postpones two games

The men's basketball program of the DePaul Blue Demons will continue to be idle through at least the halfway point of December.

Larry Fitzgerald activated from reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Giants game

Fitzgerald, who hasn't been in the lineup since the 28-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 19, went on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 26.

Mets could sign George Springer and Trevor Bauer?

the Mets may be targeting catcher James McCann instead of J.T. Realmuto so they can spend big on the outfielder and starting pitcher.

Broncos CB A.J. Bouye facing multi-game suspension for PED violation

Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye could miss the remainder of this season and potentially the start of the 2021 campaign.