MARLON MACK

The Indianapolis Cots have placed five players on the COVID-19 list as the virus continues to work its way through NFL locker rooms, even with the vast majority of players in the league vaccinated.

The Arizona Cardinals will be without Pro Bowl running back James Conner and rookie receiver Rondale Moore as they try to clinch a playoff spot on Saturday by beating the Indianapolis Colts.

Summertime can be slow in the NFL, but there's reason to believe that things could be heating up in the near future for a few teams and players.

Start with running back, where Giants star Saquon Barkley is believed to have torn the ACL in his right knee early in their loss at Chicago. The 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo tried to play through a right ankle injury before Nick Mullens took over for the second half. Tevin Coleman also left San Francisco's win over the Jets with a late knee injury. Along with Lock and Sutton, the Broncos lost defensive end Dre'Mont Jones to a knee injury in their defeat at Pittsburgh. Washington guard Brandon Scherff, who left early in Arizona with a knee injury, was among the offensive linemen hurt around the NFL on Sunday.

Undrafted rookie running back James Robinson accounted for 90 yards, including 62 on the ground. Robinson's 62 yards broke the previous mark for undrafted rookie running backs in season openers. He became the first undrafted rookie running back in 30 years to start in Week 1. Several undrafted rookie fullbacks have started openers over the years. Washington’s Ralph Nelson held the previous high for rushing yards by an undrafted rookie in Week 1, gaining 44 yards against New Orleans on Sept. 21, 1975.

FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.

JACKSONVILLE – This much seems certain for the Jacksonville Jaguars: Minshew Mania will continue into 2020. Gardner Minshew turned in his best performance in two months, throwing for 295 yards and three touchdowns and leading the Jaguars to a 38-20 victory over Indianapolis on Sunday. The rookie closed out Jacksonville's disappointing season by strengthening his case to be the team's starting quarterback next season. Minshew and the Jaguars (6-10) certainly made Marrone look good in the regular-season finale for both teams. Jacoby Brissett fumbled on consecutive drives, ending any chance Indianapolis had to end the season with consecutive wins.

Indy rushed for a season-high 264 yards and overpowered Jacksonville 33-13 for the franchise’s 300th win since moving to Indianapolis in 1984. “I can’t give our guys enough credit for how well they played.”The Colts turned a milestone day into an unforgettable performance. The only thing that went awry: Nelson’s apparent 1-yard TD run on third down was nullified by a replay review. He was 33 of 47 with 296 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as the Jaguars (4-6) in his first game back. He has made a league-record 597 field goals and has 503 extra points and 1,505 points since joining the Colts in 2016.