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

49ers players permitted to come off reserve/COVID-19 list

The saga involving Kendrick Bourne returning a positive COVID-19 test and three other players going on the reserve/COVID-19 test and three other players going on the reserve/COVID-19 list as "high-risk close contacts" took a turn.

Mets clean house, part ways with GM Brodie Van Wagenen, others

Shortly after the New York Mets confirmed the transfer of club ownership to billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen, the new owner cleaned house. 

Lions WR Kenny Golladay won't play vs. Vikings because of hip injury

Golladay enters the weekend Detroit's leader in receiving yards with 338. He has 20 catches and two touchdowns on the campaign.

Arizona Wildcats-Utah Utes football game canceled due to COVID-19

It's unknown how many Utah players tested positive or are isolating out of precaution. 

Dolphins enter intensive COVID-19 protocol but expect to play Cardinals

COVID-19 continues to spread among NFL clubs.

Cowboys Pro Bowl RB Ezekiel Elliott doubtful vs. Steelers with hamstring strain?

Second-year pro Tony Pollard is second on the Cowboys with 149 rushing yards and a touchdown on 38 attempts and would shift up the depth chart if Elliott isn't available against Pittsburgh. 

Joe Namath on if Trevor Lawrence could force trade from Jets: 'Why would it shock anybody?'

Lawrence recently hinted he could stay at Clemson for one more season without offering a reason for why he'd pass on pro football and the millions upon millions of dollars he'd earn.

Chelsea's Christian Pulisic doubtful for USMNT games due to hamstring injury

Pulisic first suffered the setback in the FA Cup Final loss to Arsenal in August and has mostly been a spectator since the start of the current campaign.

WWE: Undertaker to make 'Final Farewell' at Survivor Series

Undertaker held seven world championships and seven tag-team titles during his WWE tenure that has spanned 30 years.

Did 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne violate NFL COVID-19 protocols?

The NFL is investigating if Bourne properly wore masks or other face coverings at the team's facility prior to his positive test.

Report: Falcons' Takkarist McKinley fined for trade tweets

The Falcons have fined defensive end Takkarist McKinley an undisclosed amount of cash for Twitter outbursts claiming that the team turn down multiple trade offers for him.

Blue Jackets sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to three-year deal

On Thursday afternoon, Columbus announced the signing of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a three-year contract worth $8.4 million.

North Texas-Louisiana Tech football game postponed due to COVID-19 cases

The North Texas Mean Green announced on Thursday that this weekend's home contest versus the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs has been postponed because of active COVID-19 cases and subsequent quarantines.  

Chiefs place star DT Chris Jones on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Chiefs have placed defensive tackle Chris Jones on the reserve/COVID-19 list. It's believed Jones was deemed a "close contact" of an infected individual but hasn't yet tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Panthers All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey on pace to return vs. Chiefs

Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey is headed toward making a much-anticipated return for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Air Force-Army game off due to coronavirus issues

Army is open to scheduling a different opponent for this weekend if one is available on short notice.

Eagles safety Marcus Epps tests positive for COVID-19

Philadelphia is in the middle of its bye week following last Sunday's 23-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys, meaning players were scheduled to be off from Thursday through the end of the weekend.

Washington-California game canceled due to coronavirus

California explained the cancellation came because the Bears cannot safety field a team following the discovery of at least one active COVID-19 case and subsequent quarantines.

Lions coach Matt Patricia mum on if QB Matthew Stafford will play vs. Vikings

Stafford came into close contact with an infected individual not associated with the Lions but hadn't yet tested positive, a claim repeated by Stafford's wife, Kelly, via her Instagram story.

Werder Bremen prevent Josh Sargent from playing in USMNT friendlies

A U.S. Soccer Federation spokesperson told Carlisle that no replacement for Sargent had been selected as of Thursday afternoon.  

Brian Flores addresses Tua Tagovailoa's future with Dolphins

Flores added that the remainder of the season for the 4-3 Dolphins is more about helping Tagovailoa grow as an NFL starter than about the 22-year-old earning his keep in the lineup. 

Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi to miss Illinois game after positive COVID-19 test

Per Big Ten guidelines, Rossi must isolate for a minimum of 10 days and then produce negative test results while reporting no symptoms before he's welcomed back to football activities.

Navy-Tulsa football game postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases

Tulsa added that this is the team's fourth postponement of the season related to the pandemic. The Golden Hurricane host the SMU Mustangs on Nov. 14. 

Jets' Sam Darnold on pace to start vs. Patriots despite missing practice

The 23-year-old previously missed two games this fall because of the shoulder and failed to impress upon his return to the lineup.

UFC planning Stephen Thompson-Geoff Neal fight for Dec. 19 card

The UFC is close to signing a welterweight contest between Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson (15-4-1) and Geoff Neal (13-2).