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

RB Jamaal Williams: I'd love to 'be a Packer all my life'

Green Bay Packers running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are both set to officially hit free agency when the new NFL year begins on March 17.

Francisco Lindor says there's 'mutual interest' in signing extension with Mets

Shortly after the trade was made official, Lindor explained that he did not want to continue contract talks through the start of the regular season. He reiterated that stance on Monday. 

New Jersey to allow fans to attend sporting events starting March 1

Some New Jersey sports fans will soon be able to watch their favorite teams play live and in person.  As ESPN's Jordan Raanan explained, New Jersey Gov.

Indians, Reds to allow fans at roughly 30% capacity

Judging by protocols implemented by NBA and NHL clubs welcoming paying spectators to games this winter, baseball fans should expect to wear face coverings and abide by social distancing guidelines at ballparks for the foreseeable future. 

Four-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati retires from NFL

Iupati missed six games last season because of injuries to his knee, back and neck and ultimately decided to call it a career due to neck issues in particular.

Could NFL stadiums be full by Week 1 of 2021 season?

COVID-19 vaccine rollouts are occurring throughout North America and offering hope that at least some aspects of life may return to normal before the end of the year.  According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the NFL now "has a growing sense of optimism" that stadiums could be filled to their capacities during the 2021 regular season.

NBA legend Julius Erving receives COVID-19 vaccine

NBA living legend Julius Erving turned 71 years old on Monday and had a little something extra to celebrate.  As noted by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), "Dr.

Jets examining draft prospects to replace QB Sam Darnold?

Since accepting the Jets job in January, Saleh has mostly had positive things to say about Darnold without committing to the 23-year-old as his long-term starter.

USMNT's Jordan Morris out for Olympics with ACL injury

United States Men's National Team and Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris will miss both the Summer Olympics and Gold Cup.

Chargers TE Hunter Henry 'open to whatever' ahead of free agency

Now on the cusp of entering free agency when the new league year opens on March 17, Henry is leaving all options, including a return to the Chargers, on the table. 

Brett Gardner returning to Yankees on one-year, $4 million deal

He holds a career batting average of .259, and he tallied 28 homers and 74 RBI in 2019.

DT Jarran Reed wants to remain with Seahawks long-term

Defensive tackle Jarran Reed has only had the Seattle Seahawks as an NFL home since Seattle selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he's looking to make it a permanent thing.

Packers can't afford to sign All-Pro J.J. Watt?

Watt grew up in Wisconsin and played his college football with the Badgers.

Dr. Fauci thinks fans could return to ballparks for 2021 MLB season

Fauci spoke about the upcoming season held amid the COVID-19 pandemic and seemed optimistic that at least some fans will be able to watch their favorite teams in-person inside ballparks. 

Eagles release veteran WR DeSean Jackson

The Eagles expect to receive $6 million in salary-cap relief by cutting Jackson.

Saturday's Pacers-Rockets game postponed due to severe weather

A makeup date for the game wasn't mentioned in the Association's brief statement. 

MLB reports 13 positive COVID-19 tests at start of spring training

If the NBA and NHL campaigns offer any indication of what is to come, MLB will inevitably run into schedule disruptions caused by the virus  not long after Opening Day on April 1.

Rafael Alves sets UFC record by missing weight by 11.5 pounds

Alves weighed in on Friday at 157.5 pounds, 11.5 pounds over the contracted limit for the featherweight match. It's a new record for a UFC weight miss.

Cardinals will 'certainly take a swing' to sign All-Pro J.J. Watt?

It's been a week since three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt officially parted ways with the Houston Texans and became a free agent available to sign with the team of his choosing. 

Some NBA teams may not get to 72 regular-season games?

Postponements coupled with seemingly inevitable future schedule disruptions have resulted in team officials asking what happens if a club can't finish all 72 planned regular-season games before the start of the playoffs.

Free agent WR Marvin Jones wants to sign with Super Bowl contender

Veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones led the Detroit Lions during the 2020 season in all relevant categories, and he's now looking to bring his talents to a contender heading into 2021.

Cleveland's Terry Francona recently had surgery for staph infection in toe

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona continues to deal with health setbacks not linked with COVID-19 infections amid the coronavirus pandemic.

QB Robert Griffin III donates over 20,000 meals to Texas food banks

The 31-year-old grew up in Texas, though, and, thus, has ties with communities hit hard by extreme winter weather conditions that left thousands of residents without power, drinkable water, and hot water for days.

ESPN analysts not sold on Trevor Lawrence as best QB in NFL Draft ?

For what it's worth, though, this isn't the first time Miller and Clark have questioned Lawrence's status atop mock drafts and big boards.

Red Sox P Eduardo Rodriguez felt 'really, really bad' during COVID-19, myocarditis scares

While vaccine rollouts are occurring throughout North America, Rodriguez reminded all to remain cautious and to continue following recommended health and safety guidelines.