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

French Open reduces capacity to 5,000 fans because of pandemic

The Federation initially planned for 11,500 fans per day for the men's and women's main draws that run from Sept. 27-Oct. 11.

Baylor-Houston football game postponed because of coronavirus

Baylor will now remain idle through at least Sept. 26, when the Bears are scheduled to host Kansas. Houston hopes to face North Texas at home that same evening. 

Louisville wants nonconference bubble Nov. 25-Dec. 5

Add the Louisville Cardinals to the list of college basketball programs embracing isolated bubble sites for nonconference play. 

Colts Pro Bowl TE Jack Doyle out vs. Vikings with lower-body injury

Doyle first appeared on the team's injury report on Wednesday and hasn't practiced this week.

Hall of Fame safety Larry Wilson dies at 82

Wilson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. His No. 8 jersey is one of only five numbers retired by the Cardinals as of the fall of 2020. 

Jets WR Jamison Crowder out for 49ers game with hamstring injury

Crowder suffered the setback on Wednesday and hasn't practiced since.

FAU-Georgia Southern game postponed due to positive coronavirus tests

FAU and Georgia Southern may not meet until Dec. 5 if they play each other at all this year.

UFC champ Israel Adesanya becomes first MMA fighter to sign sponsorship deal with Puma

Unbeaten UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will have new reasons to smile while walking to the cage for his main-event title fight versus Paulo Costa on Sept. 26.

Bengals kicker Austin Seibert inactive vs. Browns, won't face former team

Cincinnati Bengals placekicker Austin Seibert will have to wait to get revenge on his former employer.

Cornerback Shaun Wade opts back in, returns to Ohio State

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade announced via Twitter that he has returned to the Buckeyes. 

ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup in Moscow canceled due to pandemic

While the ATP St. Petersburg Open is still set to occur from Oct. 12-18, it was announced on Thursday that the ATP and WTA Kremlin Cup events scheduled to be held in Moscow have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Could MAC reinstate fall football season this Saturday?

It appears the Mid-American Conference could become the latest collegiate body to reinstate a fall football schedule despite concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Chargers center Mike Pouncey having season-ending hip surgery

The Chargers confirmed that four-time Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey has been placed on injured reserve and will undergo season-ending hip surgery before September ends. 

Postponed Virginia Tech-Virginia football game rescheduled for Dec. 12 due to COVID-19 cases

The ACC announced that Saturday's game between Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia has been postponed to Dec. 12 because of positive coronavirus tests.

Chiefs expect more from rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in goal-line offense

Fantasy football owners may not realize it, but Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn't get everything right in his debut.

Jed Lowrie likely done with Mets after playing just nine games

Few, if anybody, expect the Mets to offer Lowrie a new deal in the offseason. 

Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson wins WNBA MVP

Wilson, who won 2018 Rookie of the Year, led the WNBA in blocks (2.0) and was second in the league in scoring (20.5 points).

Padres-Mariners series relocated to San Diego due to air quality issues

To retain the fairness of Seattle having final at-bats in all three games, the Mariners will serve as the "home team" throughout the series. 

Conor McGregor planning early 2021 UFC comeback?

McGregor hasn't competed since he knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds in January.

UFC signs former Bellator champion Michael Chandler, makes him backup for title bout

Chandler, 34, held the Bellator lightweight championship on three occasions but last lost it to Patricio Freire in May 2019.

MAAC announces season formats for men's, women's basketball

Fans are not permitted to attend any MAAC games through at least Dec. 23.

Charlotte 49ers cancel game against North Carolina because of coronavirus

Three Charlotte football players have tested positive for the coronavirus over the past two weeks. Additionally, contact tracing led to the school send multiple offensive linemen into required quarantine periods. 

Arizona Coyotes announce Bill Armstrong as new general manager

Armstrong, 50, had worked as assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting for the St. Louis Blues the past two years. He first joined St. Louis as a scout in 2004. 

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock tests positive for coronavirus

Warnock first reported symptoms ahead of Tuesday's Carabao Cup fixture against Barnsley that Middlesbrough lost 2-0. Warnock didn't attend that contest and will sit out at least another game out of caution.

49ers TE George Kittle could play vs. Jets even if he doesn't practice

San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle likely won't practice this week because of the setback he suffered during Sunday's season opener. Nevertheless, Kittle expects to play against the Jets.