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

Bengals WR John Ross tweets about trade request, story he doesn't like football

A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ross has accumulated 51 receptions for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns in 27 regular-season games.

Owners meetings, MLB winter meetings now remote experiences due to pandemic

As coronavirus cases increase throughout the country, it's unknown if spring training sessions or the 2021 season will begin on time. 

Saints All-Pro WR Michael Thomas out for Bears game

Thomas hasn't been in the lineup since he suffered a high ankle sprain in the season-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

Rangers decline $18M option on two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber

As had been expected since even before the end of the season, the Texas Rangers are letting veteran right-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber go. 

Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. breaks silence, calls ACL tear 'really tough'

Beckham prematurely ends the campaign second on the Browns in receptions (23) and receiving yards (319), and tied for second in touchdown catches (3) with rookie tight end Harrison Bryant. 

Miami forward Sam Waardenburg suffers season-ending foot injury

Waardenburg will still hold one more year of college eligibility due to an NCAA ruling that provides winter sports athletes with an additional year.

Packers RB Aaron Jones (calf) out vs. Vikings

Jones tweaked the calf late last week and missed all midweek practice sessions leading up to the game against Minnesota. Without Jones, Jamaal Williams led the Packers with 77 rushing yards and a score against Houston.

Juventus announce Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from COVID-19

Ronaldo first tested positive on Oct. 13 and hasn't played for club or country since. Without the 35-year-old, Juve managed to notch only Serie A draws with Crotone and Hellas Verona.

Reports: MLB owners approve Mets sale to Steve Cohen

Previous reports valued the sale at a record $2.42 billion, surpassing the $2.15 billion that Guggenheim Baseball Management reportedly paid to acquire the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012. 

Could Andy Dalton play for Cowboys vs. Eagles?

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy isn't yet ready to rule veteran Andy Dalton out for Sunday's divisional showdown. 

Tigers hire former Astros skipper A.J. Hinch as manager

Detroit finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a 23-35 record and dead last in the American League Central standings. 

Giants report no new positive COVID-19 tests; game vs. Bucs on

Neither the Giants nor Buccaneers have yet gone through bye weeks, so the NFL could've rescheduled the game for later in the fall, if necessary.

Dana White believes Khabib Nurmagomedov could unretire, return to UFC

While multiple insiders and journalists in the MMA world believe Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement is for real, UFC boss Dana White thinks differently.

Wisconsin Badgers football program has 16 active COVID-19 cases

ESPN's Tom VanHaaren reported early Thursday evening that the Wisconsin Badgers football program is up to 16 active COVID-19 cases after two additional staff members and one student-athlete tested positive.  Wisconsin has temporarily paused all football activities due to the virus outbreak.

Patriots QB Cam Newton calls Bills game a 'must-win'

Cam Newton didn't shy away from touching upon the importance of Sunday's showdown with division foes and leaders the Buffalo Bills. 

LA Galaxy fire head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto

Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy announced on Thursday that they've fired head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Major League Soccer to use points per game for playoff seedings

As had been expected throughout October, Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that the North American top-flight is going to a points-per-game system to determine playoff places and seedings for the season.

Report: Vikings won't allow fans for Nov. 8 game against Lions

The club remains hopeful that local health and safety guidelines will allow it to welcome spectators to at least one home game before Christmas.

MAC teams must play three games to be eligible for league title

The league could potentially reschedule any postponed/canceled games despite the conference not adding bye weeks to the schedule ahead of the Dec. 18 title game.

Panthers All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey out for Falcons game

Carolina Panthers fans and certain fantasy football owners out there will have to wait at least a little longer for the return of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

MLB slugger Yasiel Puig sued for alleged sexual battery at Lakers game in 2018

Major League Baseball outfielder and slugger Yasiel Puig is being sued by a woman for sexual battery regarding an incident that allegedly occurred at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2018. 

NHL wants 'normal' 2021-2022 season schedule

Figuring out an upcoming season destined to be altered by the worsening coronavirus pandemic is still proving to be a challenge heading into November. 

Fans banned from Paris Masters tennis tournament due to coronavirus lockdown

Tournament organizers originally intended to welcome 1,000 spectators for each session, day and night.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio declines to comment on potential Mets sale

An agreement in the team's lease allows the city to block the sale to someone convicted of a felony or linked with organized crime. While Cohen was never convicted, SAC Capital Partners, his former company, pleaded guilty in an insider trading case in 2014.

Indians shockingly place All-Star closer Brad Hand on outright waivers

Cleveland's latest decision seems to indicate the team's plan to go all-in on a rebuild that includes additional cost-cutting.