The first quarter of the season is over already, and the Jets have barely seen their second-year quarterback in action.
From updates on Sam Darnold's illness to another disgruntled player potentially on the move, we take a look at what's happening around the league in this edition of NFL news and notes.
Three things that matter
Sam Darnold to undergo further evaluation Friday
The Jets quarterback will have an ultrasound on his spleen and blood tests done that will determine whether he'll be able to play Sunday against the Eagles. Darnold ramped up his workouts this week after being cleared for non-contact drills Monday and has yet to be ruled out, though he also isn't guaranteed to take the field.
"It's a tough thing because you want to stay safe," Darnold told reporters. "I want to make sure that I'm safe out there and that I'm not gonna die. ... For me, sitting back and watching the team play and not having anything to do with the win or the loss, it's not a good feeling for me."
Stefon Diggs denies formally requesting trade from Minnesota
The Vikings receiver admitted there is "truth to all rumors" but said he wouldn't discuss the situation after assuring he has not formally requested a trade, though he couldn't speak for his agent.
"I haven't spoke to him about it," Diggs told reporters. "You've got to talk to him.
"I haven't communicated anything. The conversations I've had (with the Vikings) have only been about team and trying to have success on the field."
Diggs has put up uncharacteristically poor numbers this season after posting career highs in catches (102), yards (1,021) and touchdowns (9) last season, and the inconsistencies brought on by Kirk Cousins under center could be to blame.
Melvin Gordon may start against Broncos
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn confirmed the running back will play a role in Los Angeles' game plan Sunday against the Broncos but said the team doesn't want to push him too soon after he ended his 64-day contract holdout.
"He's getting more work (in practice) this week, and he's definitely going to have a workload this week, but not too big," Lynn said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "I want to work him in, but I don't want to overdo it.
"We have a package for him — a role for him in this game. He may even start this game. But we're going to see how he looks at the end of the week and go from there."
Two things that don't matter
Patriots find replacement for Stephen Gostkowski
New England is expected to sign veteran kicker Mike Nugent after Gostkowski was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. It was also reported that the Patriots will sign former Chargers kicker Younghoe Koo to the practice squad for added insurance.
Nugent has gone 253 of 311 to hit 81.4 percent of his field goals over his career during stints with the Jets, Bengals, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Cowboys, Bears and Raiders.
Appeal hearing set for Vontaze Burfict
The Raiders linebacker appealed the NFL's decision to suspend him for the remainder of the season after his helmet-to-helmet hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle, and it was reported a hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 8.
It's rumored that Derrick Brooks will hear Burfict's appeal, and NFL Media notes he and James Thrash have a history in that chair — Thrash previously reduced a Burfict suspension from five games to three in 2017 after Brooks upheld a three-game suspension in 2016.
Still, quarterback Derek Carr defended his teammate's questionable and repeated actions.
"I don't think it's fair, if we really got to know the guy," Carr said. "If the people making the decision really knew the guy that we know, inside our building ... he's a great person, his heart is broken because he's not playing football. The guy just wants to play football. We don't get a lot of time to play this game in our lives."
One video you have to see
Saquon Barkley's high ankle sprain doesn't seem to be bothering him too much.
While it’s still a longshot, #Giants HC Pat Shurmur is not ruling Saquon Barkley out for Sunday’s game vs. Minnesota.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 3, 2019
Here’s Barkley at practice today, via @SNYGiants . pic.twitter.com/AxO0tfYtzg
Thursday's tweet of the day
Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett had a funny story for reporters after practice.
Bucs’ Shaq Barrett hilarious on the podium. Said one play Sunday, Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth actually screamed “Jared!” in warning Goff after Barrett got past him. Said he’d never seen that before.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 3, 2019