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

Jazz will welcome 'limited number of fans' to home games

Utah will play preseason games behind closed doors and without fans in attendance. 

Report: Jaguars defensive coaching staff away from facility due to COVID-19 protocols

The NFL is staring at multiple worrisome COVID-19 issues ahead of the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Chargers to designate RB Austin Ekeler for return ahead of Bills game

The Chargers will designate running back Austin Ekeler to return off injured reserve, meaning the 25-year-old will practice for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury during the 38-31 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in Week 4. 

Baylor-Seton Hall game canceled due to COVID-19

Baylor will now hope to begin the campaign against Illinois on Dec. 2 as part of the Jimmy V Classic. Seton Hall faces the Louisville Cardinals in the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic on Friday.

Auburn RB Tank Bigsby may miss Alabama game with hip injury

Rivalry aside, defeating the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on the final Saturday of November was always going to be a tall order for the Auburn Tigers. That was before the Tigers learned they may be without a key offensive figure. 

Patriots RB Rex Burkhead hints he's out for season with knee injury

Burkhead was carted off the field with a knee injury in the third quarter of Sunday's affair, and the Patriots believed soon after the contest that he will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. 

Tennessee cancels games, withdraws from Jimmy V Classic due to COVID-19

Barring future setbacks, the Vols will open their season hosting the Cincinnati Bearcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on Dec. 12. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale hit out at EA Sports over likenesses in 'FIFA 21'

While neither Ibrahimovic nor Bale may have a case on their own as it pertains to "FIFA 21," their tweets suggest a legitimate legal battle over image and naming rights could be forthcoming. 

Cleveland Browns' Denzel Ward likely out a few weeks with calf strain

Ward, who currently leads the NFL with 15 passes defended, appeared to pick up the knock shortly before he intercepted a pass delivered by Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz.

Raiders guard Richie Incognito had season-ending foot surgery

Las Vegas Raiders left guard Richie Incognito, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, won't play again this season. 

Bills TE Tommy Sweeney out for season with coronavirus-related heart issue

The Bills confirmed on Monday that Sweeney has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after a cardiologist discovered the 25-year-old is dealing with myocarditis, a heart condition that has been linked with COVID-19 infections.

Bruins sign Jake DeBrusk to two-year extension

Boston general manager Don Sweeney announced that the club has signed DeBrusk to a two-year contract that carries an annual NHL cap hit of $3.675 million. 

Former All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins signing one-year deal with Rockets

Cousins joins an unsettled situation in Houston, as it's rumored that superstar guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden could push to be traded before the upcoming season begins on Dec. 22. 

Seahawks place TE Greg Olsen on injured reserve with torn plantar fascia

Seattle has placed veteran tight end Greg Olsen on injured reserve after he suffered a torn plantar fascia in the fourth quarter of Thursday's win.

Bears place Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson on reserve/COVID-19 list

As of late Monday afternoon, it was unclear if Jackson tested positive for the coronavirus or is entering the list as a "high-risk close contact" of an infected person.

Vikings place Pro Bowl WR Adam Thielen on reserve/COVID-19 list

It was unknown if Thielen tested positive for the coronavirus or has been deemed a "high-risk close contact" and is isolating away from team activities as a precaution.

Report: Panthers All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey likely out for Vikings game

The Carolina Panthers may soon need to begin discussions on shutting McCaffrey down for the remainder of the 2020 NFL regular season.

Milwaukee Bucks won't allow fans for home games at start of NBA season

Getting fans back in arenas will keep being a challenge during the coronavirus pandemic.

Raptors to sign center Alex Len to one-year deal?

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Toronto Raptors are signing free-agent center Alex Len to a one-year contract worth $2.3 million.  The

Brian Flores backs Tua Tagovailoa despite benching

Tagovailoa completed only 11-of-20 passes for 83 yards with a touchdown and six sacks taken, and the 22-year-old also had an interception scrapped by a penalty.

Jaguars DE Josh Allen to miss 'some time' with knee injury

Things continue to go from bad to worse for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Jacksonville fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-3 on Sunday and suffered its ninth consecutive defeat in the process.

Yankees to face White Sox in 2021 MLB Field of Dreams game

This would be the league's first game ever played in Iowa. 

Maryland resumes practice ahead of Indiana clash

The Terps haven't faced an opponent since the win at Penn State on Nov. 7. 

Tennessee pauses activities due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests

Tennessee is currently scheduled to face the Charlotte 49ers on Wednesday and the VCU Rams on Friday as part of the Volunteer Classic. The Vols then play the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Dec. 2. It seems unlikely Tennessee will be cleared to participate in any of those contests.

Ole Miss cancels first four games, pauses until Dec. 7

According to Jeff Borzello of ESPN, roughly 40 schools have paused basketball activities ahead of Nov. 25, the approved date for the starts of seasons.