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

Tom Brady: Bill O'Brien firing 'doesn't make a lot of sense to me'

O'Brien served as Brady's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator when the two were together with the New England Patriots.

Browns place WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) on injured reserve

Hodge's absence could create additional opportunities for teammates such as tight end Austin Hooper and fellow receiver Rashard Higgins.

Padres to start Mike Clevinger for Game 1 of NLDS vs. Dodgers

It appears that San Diego Padres ace right-hander Mike Clevinger won't miss the entire postseason, after all.  The Padres confirmed that Clevinger will

Mesut Ozil offers to pay salary for Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus

Ozil is Arsenal's highest earner and reportedly on £350,000 per week, but the 31-year-old is nevertheless an unlikely hero in this situation since he has publicly fallen out of favor with manager Mikel Arteta.

Marlins leave injured Starling Marte off NLDS roster

Marte's availability beyond the NLDS, if Miami gets past Atlanta, was unknown as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Bam Adebayo upgraded to questionable for Game 4; Goran Dragic doubtful

Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo was upgraded to questionable ahead of Tuesday's Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Lakers.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick wears two masks for game vs. Chiefs

At least five coaches have been fined for not properly wearing face coverings on sidelines during games. Belichick is not among those five. 

Bears sign former Pro Bowl RB Lamar Miller to practice squad

Miller previously worked under Bill Lazor when the Chicago offensive coordinator had that same job with the Dolphins. 

Kamaru Usman won't defend UFC title vs. Gilbert Burns on Dec. 12

Kamaru Usman (17-1-0) won't defend his UFC welterweight championship versus Gilbert Burns (19-3-0) in the UFC 256 main event on Dec. 12.

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin) out vs. Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Monday's previously postponed game against the New England Patriots without defensive tackle and sack leader Chris Jones.

San Jose Sharks trade for All-Star Minnesota goaltender Devan Dubnyk

Dubnyk is signed through the 2020-21 campaign. 

NFL could strip draft picks, force forfeits for future COVID-19 violations

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stressed that compliance is mandatory and the punishments for not following protocols will continue to be severe.

Houston Texans fire head coach and GM Bill O'Brien

Houston fell to the Minnesota Vikings 31-23 on Sunday to lose its fourth consecutive game.

Kentucky RB Kavosiey Smoke out at least a couple of weeks with broken rib

Smoke suffered the rib injury on a horse-collar tackle.

Dolphins' Brian Flores: 'Media pressure' won't force team to start Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores wants everyone to know he'll only play rookie rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick when he's good and ready.

Florida State names Jordan Travis starting QB for game vs. Notre Dame

The Florida State Seminoles will have a new starting quarterback for the third time in four games.

Raiders' Darren Waller, Derek Carr, others fined for violating COVID-19 guidelines

It's at least the third time the Raiders have been associated with fines for violations of health and safety protocols since the start of the season held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Arizona football coach Kevin Sumlin tests positive for coronavirus

Sumlin joins Florida State coach Mike Norvell, Arkansas State's Blake Anderson and Toledo's Jason Candle among college coaches known to have contracted COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. 

Patriots RB Sony Michel won't play vs. Chiefs due to quad injury

It's expected that James White and Rex Burkhead will move up the depth chart to account for Michel's absence.

Rays include All-Star OF Austin Meadows on ALDS roster

In a corresponding roster move, Tampa Bay removed infielder Nate Lowe from its series roster. 

Premier League confirms nine new positive coronavirus test results

COVID-19 cases continue around the globe and across sports.

Oregon CB Deommodore Lenoir opts back in for 2020 season

Lenoir tallied five interceptions in his first three seasons at Oregon and was named Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team by the Associated Press for 2019.

Legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden tests positive for coronavirus

Bowden believes he caught the virus when he was hospitalized last month because of a leg infection.

Packers WR Davante Adams won't play vs. Falcons

In a tweet that was later deleted, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams appeared to lash out at the club's medical staff.

Serena Williams, Roger Federer will play in 2021 Australian Open

Players competing in the January tournament are required to quarantine in Australia for two weeks.