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

Adam Gase backs Sam Darnold again

For the second time this season, New York Jets head coach Adam Gase has backed struggling third-year quarterback Sam Darnold.  How long either man will be linked with the franchise has yet to be determined.  "I just keep thinking, 'He's 23, none of this can be easy,'" Gase told reporters on Monday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.

San Jose State-New Mexico football game relocated to San Jose due to COVID-19

Spectators will not be welcomed to CEFCU Stadium because of the health crisis. Tailgating on university grounds is prohibited. 

NY Giants unlikely to trade TE Evan Engram?

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported on Monday that the New York Giants are unlikely to deal tight end Evan Engram before the trade deadline on Nov. 3.  The Giants

Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake likely out 'a few weeks' with ankle injury

Arizona is on a bye for Week 8 before playing the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 8. 

Broncos DT Mike Purcell out for season, will undergo foot surgery

Purcell wasn't Denver's only casualty over the weekend. Running back Phillip Lindsay is in the league's concussion protocol.

Panthers All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey pushing to play vs. Falcons

While Mike Davis performed admirably in replacing one of the league's most talented playmakers, he was held to 12 yards on seven carries in the loss to New Orleans on Sunday afternoon.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones backs coach Mike McCarthy despite poor start

Jones isn't yet ready to throw McCarthy under the figurative bus.

Report: Cowboys unlikely to sign QB before showdown with Eagles

Ben DiNucci, who took over for Andy Dalton after he was knocked out of the loss vs. Washington, will be given the keys to the offense on Sunday night if the former Cincinnati Bengals starter can't go.

LSU QB Myles Brennan questionable vs. Auburn with lower-body injury

Brennan is returning to practice on Monday after dealing with a lower-body injury that sidelined him for Saturday's win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Duke CB Mark Gilbert opts out, will enter 2021 NFL Draft

Once an All-ACC cornerback, Gilbert tallied six interceptions back in 2017 but missed most of the 2018 season and all of 2019 after he suffered a dislocated left hip during a game at Northwestern on Sept. 8, 2018. 

ESPN cancels plans for college basketball bubble in Orlando

The bubble was scheduled to host teams from Nov. 25, when college basketball seasons can start amid the coronavirus pandemic, through early December.

Paul Chryst won't confirm if QB Graham Mertz tested positive for COVID-19

No Wisconsin players tested positive before Friday's blowout win over the Illinois Fighting Illini, during which Mertz set a Wisconsin record for single-game completion percentage (95.2) and matched a school mark for touchdown passes in a contest (five).

AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jens Petter Hauge test positive for coronavirus

Three staff members also tested positive and were placed in isolation.

Report: Saints unlikely to trade All-Pro WR Michael Thomas

It's been a tumultuous season for Thomas, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that sidelined him for the next three contests, followed by an altercation with a teammate and another injury.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards to headline final UFC show of 2020

Chimaev, who might already be the fighter of the year, will face Leon Edwards (18-3-0) in the last match on the last UFC card before 2021 on Dec. 19. 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola defends Sergio Aguero for putting hands on female referee

Aguero could have been sent off and handed a ban had the contact been deemed violent in any nature. 

Report: Antonio Brown, Buccaneers reach agreement on one-year deal

The Bucs have agreed to a one-year deal with Antonio Brown, but he must still pass through the league's COVID-19 protocols before the signing can become official.

Jon Gruden: Raiders ready to play Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden might be without his entire first-choice offensive line, but he isn't letting that stop him from guiding his team onto the field for what became a Sunday afternoon game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

New York Giants trade OLB Markus Golden to Cardinals

Big Blue received a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for the 29-year-old who can become a free agent after the season.

Washington Football Team fines QB Dwayne Haskins for violation of COVID-19 rules

Haskins was reportedly fined $4,833 for making a reservation for a family friend at Washington's team hotel ahead of last Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

Saints All-Pro WR Michael Thomas out for Panthers game

Without Thomas, running back Alvin Kamara has emerged as the preferred target of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. Kamara leads the Saints in catches (38), receiving yards (395), and receiving scores (3). 

Chiefs' Sammy Watkins, Mitchell Schwartz won't play vs. Broncos

Wide receiver Sammy Watkins and starting offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz won't play for the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's game against division foes the Denver Broncos. 

Watch: Khabib Nurmagomedov struggles, makes weight for UFC 254 title fight vs. Justin Gaethje

Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0-0) made weight for Saturday's UFC 254 title fight versus interim champion Justin Gaethje, but it didn't look easy.

Mohegan Sun to host roughly 35 college basketball teams for 'Bubbleville'

It appears "Battle in the Bubble" isn't the only newer NCAA trademark that will be linked with the 2020-21 college basketball season held amid the coronavirus pandemic.