WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Jimmie Johnson can secure a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship this week at Watkins Glen International, and hes not even thinking about it. On a rainy Friday at the storied road course in upstate New York that delayed Cup practice until late afternoon, injured star Tony Stewart was foremost on everybodys mind. Stewart broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg on Monday night in a sprint car race in Iowa, has since undergone two surgeries, and is out indefinitely. Max Papis will drive Stewarts No. 14 Chevrolet on Sunday in the Cheez-It 355 at The Glen, where Stewart has a track-record five Cup wins. It will bring Stewarts streak of 521 consecutive Cup starts to an end, and its his absence that gives Johnson the opportunity to be the first to lock into the Chase on points. "Its not the way I want to clinch, by any means, with him not being here at the race track. Its a big loss for our sport," Johnson said. "I know that Tony is feeling bad about being injured and the effect that it has on his Cup team. Its crazy to think that he wont be a player in the Chase." Stewart was leading with five laps remaining at Southern Iowa Speedway when a lapped car spun in front of him, causing Stewart to hit that car and flip several times. He was taken from the track by ambulance. Like his fellow drivers, Johnson, a five-time Cup champion, said he didnt like some of the comments hes seen in the aftermath of the crash. Specifically, those who questioned Stewart for racing so much. It was his third crash in a month in the powerful open-wheel cars. "Its troubled me to see some people giving him a hard time about his decision to race other vehicles," Johnson said. "We always praise him for his contributions to the motor sports world and his ability to drive and race anything. He has done so much for our sport. "I personally praise him for all that he does for our sport, including driving sprint cars Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday," Johnson said. "Its unfortunate that he got hurt. I hate that hes injured, but Id be bummed if he didnt continue to race all during the week. Thats the Smoke we know and love." Stewart-Haas Racing has not named an interim driver for beyond this weekend, and said no discharge date has been decided for the 42-year-old Stewart. "Its going to be a few weeks before we even look at that," said Greg Zipadelli, competition director at SHR. "For now, it will be a week-to-week diagnosis on him." Among the names that have popped up as candidates is 21-year-old Kyle Larson, a rising star in the Nationwide Series who sits sixth in points entering Saturdays Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. He might be a bit too young, though. "Hes in a really crucial spot in his career and (it would be good) not getting fed to the wolves too soon," Zipadelli said. "I would prefer from this point on to put one person in that we felt was capable of doing a good, solid job and trying to build some chemistry with the crews and the crew chief. "Theres a lot of those little details that make for a good day on Sundays," Zipadelli said. "The longer you get to work with someone, the better you get to know them, the better chance you have of having some consistent results. But I dont know well honestly be able to do that. The drivers that wed like to put (in the seat) are all racing for a championship, and we need to be respectful of their position." Although Regan Smith is challenging Austin Dillon for the points lead in the Nationwide Series, Smiths boss at JR Motorsports said he wouldnt hesitate giving Smith the chance to drive the No. 14 if the opportunity arose. "Id be the first to put Regans name in the hat for that kind of opportunity," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "I understand that we are racing for a championship. It would be a challenge. It would also give him an opportunity to showcase himself ... and get some guys maybe wanting to put him back in the car full-time on this (Cup) side of the deal. That would be good for him." At least Smith knows what hed face. He was forced to sub for Earnhardt in the No. 88 last October in the Chase when Earnhardt couldnt compete because of the effects of two concussions. "Its going to be a great opportunity for somebody," said Smith, who grew up in Cato, N.Y., a two-hour drive north of Watkins Glen. "Last year it happened so quick there wasnt time to think. There was nothing but a phone call. "I certainly would be open to that. You just cross that bridge and see how things line up. I think its a lot of hypothetical right now. I cant speak to any of that." Joe Maddon Jersey . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. 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The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers receiver Randall Cobb and linebacker Clay Matthews are listed as questionable because of hamstring injuries for Green Bays game Sunday at Atlanta.Cobb and Matthews were both limited in practice Thursday. The Packers next practice Saturday.Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that both Cobb and Matthews were making progress. Cobb got hurt after last weeks game against Chicago.Matthews has had hamstring issues in the past, and has missed a game this season because of ankle and hamstring injuries.ddddddddddddhe Packers also listed guard T.J. Lang (hip) and receiver Ty Montgomery (illness) as questionable. Montgomery has been limited all week.Cornerback Quinten Rollins will miss a third straight game with a groin injury.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '