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

Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. out for season with torn ACL

It's the same ligament Penix tore in 2018 as a true freshman.

Browns expect Myles Garrett back for Titans game

The Cleveland Browns notched two straight victories without their best defensive player in the lineup. It appears they won't be without him on the first Sunday of December. 

Minnesota-Northwestern game canceled due to COVID-19

The Golden Gophers haven't taken the field since a 34-31 win over the Purdue Boilermakers on Nov. 20.

Kentucky down 18 players, 10 staff members ahead of Florida game

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops confirmed while speaking with reporters on Wednesday that he's without 18 players and 10 staff members due to positive coronavirus test results, subsequent quarantines, and injuries. 

Report: Ravens discipline strength and conditioning coach for COVID-19 violations

The Ravens have disciplined a strength and conditioning coach for violations of the league's health and safety guidelines installed to prevent coronavirus outbreaks.

Minnesota star WR Rashod Bateman opts out to prep for NFL Draft

Bateman explained via a post shared on social media that a recent COVID-19 outbreak at Minnesota caused him to rethink his future and, ultimately, begin concentrating on the 2021 NFL Draft

Bengals RB Giovani Bernard misses practice with concussion

His status for Sunday's home game against the New York Giants is unknown heading into Thanksgiving.

Patrick Mahomes: I'm not yet on same level as Tom Brady

Despite the fact that Mahomes is already on pace toward enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he realizes he has a ways to go before he flirts with catching up to six-time Super Bowl champion. 

Oklahoma-West Virginia game postponed to Dec. 12 due to COVID-19

Oklahoma has temporarily paused organized team activities following the discovery of positive coronavirus test results and subsequent quarantines that left the Sooners unable to meet conference COVID-19 thresholds. 

Texas State DB Khambrail Winters shot and killed

Texas State Bobcats defensive back Khambrail Winters was shot and killed in San Marcos, Texas, on Tuesday evening. 

Lions' Kenny Golladay, Danny Amendola, Jeff Okudah won't  play vs. Texans

The Detroit Lions will be without three key figures for their Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Houston Texans.

Vanderbilt football could use women's soccer player as placekicker

Vanderbilt women's soccer starting goalkeeper Sarah Fuller practiced with the men's football team on Tuesday because many of its specialists are quarantined due to COVID-19 protocols.

Jets QB Sam Darnold returns to practice, hopes to play vs. Dolphins

Head coach Adam Gase told reporters he believes "things are trending in the right direction" for Darnold to get back on the field.

Colts QB Philip Rivers (toe) missing practice only as a precaution

Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich told reporters that his signal-caller, who turns 39 years old next month, could take the field ahead of Thanksgiving, if necessary.

Bears' David Montgomery cleared from concussion protocol, can play at Packers

Montgomery, a 2019 third-round draft pick, leads the Bears with 472 rushing yards, 131 carries, and 27 rushing first downs. The 23-year-old has also contributed 30 catches for 212 yards and two total touchdowns this season. 

West Virginia replaces Tennessee in Jimmy V Classic

The No. 15-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers stepped in to save the day when asked.

NBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis postponed to 2024

With far too much uncertainty hovering over the NBA season that hasn't officially been finalized, the Association confirmed an expected decision ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Walsh won't coach vs. Browns

Two other defensive coaches won't be in attendance on Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols as well.

Cincinnati-Temple football game canceled due to COVID-19 issues

The Bearcats sit at 8-0 overall and will look to complete a perfect regular season when they travel to play the Tulsa Golden Hurricane on Dec. 12.

Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, Ohio State sit atop initial CFP rankings

The selection committee will release future playoff rankings every Tuesday through Dec. 15, with the final rankings set to be unveiled Dec. 20 following conference title games. 

Houston-Tulsa football game postponed due to COVID-19

Houston confirmed on Tuesday that Saturday's scheduled game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 test results and subsequent quarantines affecting the Cougars ahead of Thanksgiving. 

Minnesota-Wisconsin football game canceled due to COVID-19

The Badgers won their first two contests of the season but fell to the Northwestern Wildcats last Saturday. They next play the Indiana Hoosiers on Dec. 5. 

Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda improving but remains hospitalized

Lasorda went 1,599-1,439 as manager of the Dodgers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. 

Sergino Dest becomes first USMNT player to score for Barcelona

With the match's result decided, Konrad De La Fuente entered the game to mark the first time that a pair of U.S. players featured for Barca at the same time.

Southern Mississippi-UAB football game canceled due to COVID-19

UAB hasn't played since a double-overtime loss to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on Halloween.