BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Jeff Gordon, who came out of retirement to substitute for Dale Earnhardt Jr.?while Earnhardt recovers from a concussion, wont race next week at Michigan International Speedway.Earnhardt could return next week if cleared by doctors, but if he is out, Gordon said Friday a previous commitment for next Friday and Saturday would keep him from making a fifth consecutive start in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 car.I am not able to be in the car at Michigan, Gordon said after qualifying Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway. I had some other obligations. ... Its just a prior commitment I had already made.I didnt know I was going to be doing all this.Alex Bowman, who substituted for Earnhardt last month at New Hampshire, is set to replace Earnhardt if he isnt cleared for Michigan, where NASCAR will use a potential 2017 rules package that reduces downforce from the regular 2016 package.Gordon said he could race Labor Day weekend at Darlington if asked. Gordon has finishes of 13th, 27th and 14th in his three starts since being out of the car after the 2015 season finale. He had spent the first half of 2016 transitioning to a new phase of his life as a member of the Fox Sports broadcast team.I was enjoying my summer a lot, Gordon said. To go from my experience [vacationing] in France and how relaxing that was to the intensity level at Indy, it was a big wake-up call for me.Every week that Im in the car, I get more comfortable and I get in a place where I feel I can contribute more and ramp my intensity level up along with the competition. You cant just be out of it for six months and jump in and expect that to come naturally -- not for me anyway.The four-time Sprint Cup champion will be at the track Aug. 28 at Michigan for sponsor Axalta but said it would be unfair to have someone practice and qualify the car and then him race it if Earnhardt cant compete.It doesnt make sense, Gordon said. Im pretty sure Alex Bowman would be in the car. It wouldnt be fair to him. It wouldnt be fair to this team.I am not sure Im even the best choice for that package at that race.Gordon had his best qualifying effort of his four replacement races Friday, as he will start 11th on Saturday in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race.With five career wins at the track, capping his career with his 801st start at Bristol wouldnt be a bad send-off for Gordon. He hasnt won at the track since 2002, so if he could have a drop-the-mic moment with a win, it would be the perfect scenario.Its one of my favorite tracks, if not my favorite, Gordon said. Its a spectacular place to race, especially at night. Right now, Im just happy to make it [the final qualifying round] and try to find ways to improve on what weve done so far.I dont want to get too far ahead of ourselves. Cheap NBA Jerseys . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. 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Cheap Kyle Anderson Jersey . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Jimmy Garoppolo made his preseason debut, spreading the ball around for 168 yards, and Jamie Collins added a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown as the New England Patriots beat the New Orleans Saints 34-22 on Thursday night.Garoppolo played the entire first half as he preps to start the first four games of the regular season in place of Tom Brady, who will be serving a suspension for his involvement in the Deflategate case. Brady was not in the building Thursday, excused by the team to attend memorial services for a family member.Saints running back Mark Ingram had an early fumble, but also had two 1-yard touchdown runs in an extended night that saw him play most of the first half. Second-year quarterback Garrett Grayson threw an early interception, but completed a few long passes to finish 10 for 16 for 133 yards.Defensive end Kasim Edebali had two first-quarter sacks.After a slow start, Garoppolo completed several long passes and finished 11 of 18. He converted a fourth-down run.Trey Flowers added a 17-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, scooping up the loose ball created by his sack of Luke McCown.INJURY UPDATEPatriots: It wasnt all good news for New Englands offense. It likely lost rookie receiver Malcolm Mitchell for the foreseeable future after he sustained a left elbow injury late in the second quarter.Mitchell, a fourth-round draft pick out of Georgia, caught a pass near the sideline. But as he was dragged down from behind by Saints cornerback DeVante Harris, Mitchells arm bent awkwardly as he landed on the ground. He held his elbow as he was helped to the locker room by trainers.ROOKIE WATCHSaints: WR Michael Thomas was targeted five times in the first half. He caught four for 67 yards, including a long of 28.Patriots: CB Cyrus Jones, New Englands top pick of the second round, had a fumble recovery and started in the base defensse while handling the early punt return duties.ddddddddddddUndrafted free agent CB Crevon LeBlanc might have had the defensive play of the night, intercepting McCowns pass in the end zone with one hand. LG Joe Thuney also was in the starting lineup.SHORT TIMERGaroppolos extended night was in contrast to a very short one for Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He played in only the opening series of the game before taking a seat. He made the most of it, completing a 37-yard pass to Brandin Cooks on the first offensive play of the night.FAVORITE TARGETMartellus Bennett, who New England acquired from the Bears in an offseason trade, was Garoppolos favorite target early on. He was targeted four times and had three receptions for 33 yards.MISSING IN ACTIONPatriots: Including Brady, a total of 20 players did not play for New England. The list included TE Rob Gronkowski, WRs Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Chris Hogan, CB Logan Ryan and RB Dion Lewis. Also out was Rob Ninkovich, who has been absent since leaving practice Tuesday with an arm injury.Saints: Eight players did not see action, including WR Jake Lampman and CBs Keenan Lewis and Damian Swann.QUOTABLESaints: I think that was important. I really came out and the first play, I said, `Hey, got to set the tone. Start the game off right, Edebali said. I thought (the defense) was able to do that, and we just have to continue to be better.Patriots: The scramble play, it didnt make the sideline very happy. But it was fourth down, so the football player inside of me kicked in, I guess, Garoppolo said of his 4-yard run in in the second quarter to pick up a first down.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '