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

Alex Perez replaces Cody Garbrandt for UFC title fight vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Per Ariel Helwani of ESPN, Cody Garbrandt has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC flyweight title fight versus champion Deiveson Figueiredo due to a torn biceps.

Report: Patriot League to cancel nonconference basketball games in 2020

It's expected the Patriot League will conduct an 18-game conference schedule that begins in January.

Hurricanes working to sign Andrei Svechnikov to extension

Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said the club is in contract extension discussions with 20-year-old top-line winger Andrei Svechnikov.

Carabao Cup quarterfinals confirmed, headlined by Arsenal vs. Man City

Arsenal will host 2018-19 top-flight champions Manchester City, while Everton will host Manchester United. Additionally, Stoke City will host Tottenham Hotspur, and Brentford will host Newcastle United. 

Justin Verlander has Tommy John surgery, will miss 2021 season

The Houston Astros confirmed on Thursday that ace right-hander Justin Verlander underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and will miss the 2021 regular season.

Jets activate QB Joe Flacco for the first time

The New York Jets activated quarterback and one-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Joe Flacco to serve as the backup to Sam Darnold for Thursday night's game against the Denver Broncos.

Philadelphia 76ers hire Doc Rivers as head coach

Doc Rivers didn't remain available for long. 

Tennessee Titans bus driver also drove Houston Astros to playoff series

The bus driver who drove the Tennessee Titans to their game versus the Minnesota Vikings last weekend also drove the Houston Astros to their playoff series against the Minnesota Twins. 

Oilers' Oscar Klefbom could miss 2020-21 NHL season due to surgery

Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland said on Thursday that No. 1 defenseman Oscar Klefbom could miss the entire 2020-21 NHL season.

Stanford CB Paulson Adebo opts out to prepare for 2021 NFL Draft

Stanford Cardinal cornerback Paulson Adebo announced on Thursday that he is opting out of the upcoming Pac-12 football season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Lightning believe Steven Stamkos will be ready for 2020-21 season

Lightning superstar Steven Stamkos missed 24 of 25 playoff games during the team's Stanley Cup title run, but GM Julien BriseBois said the 30-year-old center should be good to go whenever the 2020-21 season starts. 

Colorado Rapids-Portland Timbers match postponed to Nov. 4 due to coronavirus outbreak

Major League Soccer confirmed on Thursday that Saturday's match between the Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers has been postponed to Nov. 4 because of the coronavirus outbreak within the Rapids.

Appalachian State-Louisiana postponed to Dec. 4 or 5 due to coronavirus

Appalachian State did not disclose how many players and/or staff members tested positive. The school explained those who tested positive are isolating and that students and others exposed to the virus are quarantining. 

Isabella Mir, daughter of former UFC champion Frank Mir, to make pro MMA debut

Mir will face Danielle Wynn in a 135-pound fight for Ikon Fighting Federation in Mexico.

Marlins' Starling Marte can field, run but unlikely to hit due to hand injury

Marte was struck in the left hand by a pitch in the top of the ninth of Game 1 and was immediately listed as day-to-day by the Marlins.

Cardinals sign two-time Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward

Ward made 12 appearances for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 but hasn't played in the league since.

Ravens make Marlon Humphrey second-highest-paid cornerback in NFL

Humphrey is set to make slightly less than Jalen Ramsey ($20 million per season) of the Los Angeles Rams, but he told reporters that staying with the only NFL home he's known was more important than becoming the league's highest-paid cornerback.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson confirms XFL will return in spring 2022

It's unknown which teams, current or new, will compete in the XFL in 2022.

Barcelona confirm signing of U.S. international Sergino Dest

Born in Holland, Dest committed his international future to the U.S. last October when he was also eligible to represent the Netherlands in major competitions.  

Champions League draw pits Ronaldo's Juventus vs. Messi's Barcelona

Football living legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, arguably the two greatest players in history, will face off in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time.

Saints All-Pro WR Michael Thomas (ankle) practices on limited basis

The Saints enter Week 4 of the campaign at 1-2 and last in the NFL in yards accumulated by receivers (283). Without Thomas in the lineup, running back Alvin Kamara was Drew Brees' favorite target in losses to the Raiders and Packers. 

Report: Marlins' Starling Marte suffered broken pinkie in win over Cubs

Starling Marte suffered a broken pinkie when he was hit by a pitch in the top of the ninth inning.

COVID postponement sees Steelers-Titans moved to Monday night

Sunday's scheduled showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans reportedly has a new tentative date.

MLB plans to let more than 11,000 fans attend NLCS, World Series

Major League Baseball is planning to allow up to 11,500 fans to attend the National League Championship Series and World Series held at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. 

Blackhawks confident two-time champion Corey Crawford will re-sign with club

Crawford previously stated he wished to pursue a third Cup with Chicago.