Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s status for Michigan could be announced Wednesday

Hendrick Motorsports isn't planning to make an announcement about Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s status for this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway before Wednesday afternoon at the earliest.  

That's the word from Earnhardt's media relations representative, who tweeted it out Monday morning.   

Earnhardt has missed the last five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as he continues to recover from concussion-related symptoms. Alex Bowman filled in for him at New Hampshire in July, and Jeff Gordon has driven the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Bristol.   

But Gordon has a prior commitment for the upcoming weekend, so if Earnhardt is still sidelined, Bowman will be back in the No. 88 again at Michigan. Gordon will be at the track Sunday, but not for practice and qualifying.     

To resume driving, Earnhardt will have to receive medical clearance from his doctors.