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

Manchester United victim of cyberattack

English Premier League club Manchester United found themselves dealing with an unexpected foe roughly 24 hours ahead of Saturday's clash with West Bromwich Albion. 

Vic Fangio won't make call on Drew Lock (ribs) for Dolphins game until weekend

Everybody is going to have to wait a little longer to see if Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio will let Drew Lock face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Goran Dragic, Meyers Leonard re-sign with Miami Heat

Guard Goran Dragic and center Meyers Leonard aren't going anywhere.

49ers waive Takkarist McKinley due to failed physical, place three on COVID list

The 49ers claimed Takkarist McKinley off waivers on Wednesday but announced on Friday that they've waived him due to a failed physical. Additionally, San Francisco announced that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left tackle Trent Williams, and tight end Daniel Helm have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

Pitt, Virginia Tech players don't have to wear masks on field

The state of Pennsylvania and Gov. Tom Wolf have clarified an order that previously had members of the Virginia Tech Hokies and Pittsburgh Panthers believing they'd have to wear face coverings on the field during Saturday's game.

Washington State-Stanford football game canceled due to COVID-19 issues

Because the Pac-12 didn't add bye weeks for the pandemic-altered season and Washington State and Stanford don't share an open date through Dec. 12, this game has been declared a no contest.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford expected to play vs. Panthers despite thumb injury

The QB was officially limited in practice heading into the weekend but is not "limited by his thumb injury" as of Friday afternoon, per Detroit QBs coach Sean Ryan.

Minnesota to be without 20 players for Friday game vs. Purdue

Twenty Minnesota players are unable to suit up against Purdue because of positive COVID-19 tests, subsequent quarantines, and injuries. Additionally, offensive line coach Brian Callahan and two other coaches are isolating and won't attend Friday's contest. 

Saints QB Drew Brees placed on IR, must miss at least three games

Along with sitting through this weekend, Brees won't play against the Denver Broncos on Nov. 29 or versus the Falcons on Dec. 6. 

Trail Blazers acquire Enes Kanter in trade with Celtics and Grizzlies

Kanter signed with the Trail Blazers in February 2019 after he was waived by the New York Knicks, and the 28-year-old found success during his brief stint at Portland.

Colts' Denico Autry placed on COVID-19 list, out for Packers game

The Colts have placed defensive lineman Denico Autry on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Autry missed Thursday's practice because of an undisclosed illness. 

Cincinnati-Tulsa game postponed to Dec. 12

New dates for five other contests were also announced by the AAC.

Lions rookie RB D'Andre Swift out for Panthers game with concussion

It's a tough break for the first-year pro who had recently emerged as Detroit's top backfield option and a fantasy football must-start.

Pitt, Virginia Tech to wear masks on field due to new guidelines

According to Nick Bromberg of Yahoo Sports, the Penn State Nittany Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers both claim to be exempt from this new order.

Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater 'a game-time decision' for Lions game

No news truly was good news for fans of the Carolina Panthers as of Friday afternoon.  

Broncos to ban fans after Dolphins game due to COVID-19

The news comes less than two full days after the Broncos confirmed that defensive coordinator Ed Donatell is home recovering following a trip to the hospital during his recent battle with the coronavirus.

Miami Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz tests positive for COVID-19

Miami defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 25-24 last Saturday despite being without 13 players because of COVID-19 issues, but further testing and subsequent quarantines led to the ACC postponing Saturday's contest

Inter Miami-Nashville playoff game still on despite COVID-19 issues

Miami starters Gonzalo Higuain and Gonzalez Pirez, along with Gonzalo's brother Federico Higuain, tested positive for the virus and didn't travel to Nashville for the postseason fixture.

Bellator not interested in UFC legend Anderson Silva

After the 45-year-old tasted defeat for the third straight contest, some wondered if Bellator MMA would sign him on a short-term deal because the Silva name still carries value and could attract attention to the second-tier product.  That apparently isn't the case. 

Saints RB Alvin Kamara expects to play vs. Falcons despite foot injury

"I'm alright. I'll be good," Kamara said. The Saints host the Atlanta Falcons for a divisional showdown on Sunday afternoon. 

Albany men's basketball scraps first three games due to COVID-19 issues

As things stand on Thursday afternoon, Albany is now set to open the campaign versus the UMBC Retrievers on Dec. 19.

DePaul men's basketball cancels first three games due to COVID-19 concerns

The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team announced on Thursday that it is canceling its first three games of the season and temporarily pausing activities because of positive COVID-19 tests.

Gordon Hayward declines player option with Celtics, enters free agency

Hayward enters free agency coming off his best season as a member of the Celtics.

Jaguars place rookie CB C.J. Henderson (groin) on injured reserve

Jacksonville has confirmed that rookie cornerback C.J. Henderson is going on injured reserve because of the groin injury that limited him in practice on Wednesday and sidelined him on Thursday. 

Cowboys QB Andy Dalton: COVID-19 'hit me hard'

Dalton is preparing to start versus the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.