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

Falcons WR Calvin Ridley hopes to play vs. Saints

Ridley entered the week as Atlanta's leader in receiving touchdowns (six), yards (657) and targets (68), and he shares the team lead in catches (43) with Julio Jones.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin on facing Jaguars: 'We are not a Big Ten team playing a MAC opponent'

Tomlin likely was sending a message to his players about the importance of concentrating only on what's directly ahead.

Cowboys coaches, staff staying in 'bubble' to avoid COVID-19 spread

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones explained that the team is having coaches and staff members stay in a "bubble environment" at the Omni Hotel located next to the franchise's practice facility.

South Carolina CB Israel Mukuamu opts out to prep for NFL Draft

Mukuamu earned Second-Team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press for the 2019 season after he recorded four interceptions, 45 tackles, nine passes defended and a touchdown.

South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn opts out to prepare for NFL Draft

Shortly after the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp, a key figure of the team's defense also exited the program. 

Cowboys QB Andy Dalton clears concussion protocol, returns to practice

The former Cincinnati Bengals starter who took over for Dak Prescott  after Prescott was lost for the season on Oct. 11 suffered the head  injury when he was blasted by Washington Football Team linebacker Jon  Bostic during a game played on Oct. 25 and hasn't taken the field since.

Padres' Mike Clevinger to have Tommy John surgery, miss 2021 season

Clevinger made three appearances for the Padres before he suffered an  injury to his throwing arm (a right posterior elbow impingement) after a  single inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 23.

Miami Hurricanes COVID-19 outbreak leads to multiple ACC schedule changes

The Miami Hurricanes football program is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that has led to the Atlantic Coast Conference changing a handful of league games.

Bruce Arians changing practice schedule after prime-time struggles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit at 7-3 overall following Sunday's 46-23 win over the Carolina Panthers but haven't looked their best in prime-time games. Bruce Arians is looking to make changes due to this fact.

WR Antonio Brown involved in new off-field incident before signing with Buccaneers

Brown allegedly destroyed a surveillance camera at the gated community where he lives in Hollywood, Fla., and also tossed a bicycle at a security-guard shed during an incident said to have occurred on Oct. 15.

Could Alex Smith start for Washington in 2021?

Smith completed a career-high 38-of-55 passes for 390 yards in this past Sunday's 30-27 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions.

Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez tests positive for COVID-19, will miss Barcelona clash

Because of the positive test result, Suarez will miss Tuesday's World Cup qualifier versus Brazil and Saturday's La Liga game between Atletico and Barcelona. 

Broncos QB Drew Lock questionable vs. Dolphins with rib injury

The Broncos have lost two in a row and three of four to fall to 3-6 overall on the season, so rushing Lock back seems, on paper, to be an unnecessary risk. 

Jets QB Sam Darnold out indefinitely with shoulder injury, won't play vs. Chargers

Darnold first suffered a sprained AC joint during the Oct. 1 loss to the Denver Broncos and missed two games because of the setback.

Dolphins waive former Pro Bowl RB Jordan Howard

Howard never found momentum during his brief stint with the Dolphins. He averaged a paltry 1.2 yards per carry on 28 attempts.

Actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney cleared to buy fifth-tier Wrexham AFC

Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are superheroes in the eyes of one set of club supporters. 

Texas A&M LB Anthony Hines III entering NFL Draft

Due to a rule for the college campaign held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hines could have two years of eligibility remaining if he reverses course and returns to the program.

Texas A&M-Ole Miss game postponed due to COVID-19

The Aggies had this past weekend's game versus the Tennessee Volunteers scrapped because of positive coronavirus tests and subsequent quarantines.

Louisville RB Javian Hawkins opts out to prepare for NFL Draft

Louisville Cardinals running back Javian Hawkins has played his last down of collegiate football. 

Panthers could be without Christian McCaffrey, Teddy Bridgewater vs. Lions?

The injuries to key players continue to ravage teams across the NFL.

Browns have new positive COVID-19 test, close facility once again

It's the second consecutive Monday the Browns have gone through this process, with last week's positive test occurring after the team's bye week.

Canadian health official: Raptors playing in Toronto 'tough on everyone involved'

Officials such as Canada's Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo are concerned about the Raptors traveling back and forth between the two nations during the serious health crisis. 

Is Arizona State's next scheduled football game already in doubt?

After a game between the Utah Utes and UCLA Bruins was canceled because of coronavirus-related issues hindering the Utes, the Pac-12 added Cal-UCLA to the schedule on short notice. That matchup kicks off at 9 a.m. PT/noon ET on Sunday. 

Bears' Matt Nagy passes play-calling duties to OC Bill Lazor

The Bears enter the weekend dead last in rushing yards per game (82.3) and 29th in points per game (19.8). Foles is 28th in total QBR (48.6) among eligible players. So perhaps the change will help.

Texans' David Johnson, Senio Kelemete ruled out vs. Browns

Both Johnson and Kelemete are recovering from concussions.