Sidney Crosby Injury: Updates on Penguins Star's Concussion and Return

Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby was diagnosed with a concussion, which he suffered during practice on Oct. 7, and had yet to play this season. However, he is ready to make his 2016-17 regular-season debut.

Continue for updates.

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Crosby Active vs. Panthers

Tuesday, Oct. 25

Crosby was available to play on Tuesday against Florida, per Adam Gretz of NBC Sports. 

Crosby had told reporters earlier on Tuesday he was a "game-time decision." 

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Crosby Comments on Recovery

Monday, Oct. 24

Crosby spoke to reporters, saying he's "symptom-free" and that he had no limits during Monday's practice. However, he noted there's no timetable for his return.

Crosby told reporters on Oct. 11 that he feels "pretty good" and is happy he was able to skate. The Penguins star added that he's day-to-day and that his return is not a cut-and-dry issue.

"You just have to treat them the right way," Crosby said when asked about his recovery. "I'm comfortable and confident that things will be OK."

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Latest on Crosby's Practice Status

Monday, Oct. 24

Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted on Sunday that Crosby skated by himself on Saturday. On Monday, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported Crosby's rehab is trending in the right direction and that he wouldn't be surprised if Crosby was cleared to practice on Monday without the non-contact jersey.

Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared a picture of Crosby skating on Oct. 15:

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Sullivan Comments on Crosby's Recovery, Potential Return

Sunday, Oct. 23

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan announced that Crosby had a "good day off" on Friday and that the Penguins will see how he responds after Saturday's session, according to Werner, who added:

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One complicating factor could be the Penguins’ schedule. Sullivan has said Crosby likely will have to participate in a full practice before he can play, but with four games over the next eight days, there might not be many chances for that.

"It hasn’t really affected his recovery process at all, to this point," Sullivan said. "That is one of the challenges when we’re trying to get guys back in the lineup, trying to get them into a practice that has some game-like scenarios."

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Sullivan told reporters on Oct. 14 that Crosby skated on his own during practice, per Seth Rorabaugh of DKPittsburghSports.com. 

On Oct. 13, Sullivan told reporters that Crosby is "continuing to make progress" and that he remains day-to-day, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com.

Sullivan told reporters on Oct. 10 that Crosby suffered the concussion in practice on Oct. 7, adding that the Pittsburgh star "came to the rink on Saturday not feeling well," per the team's official Twitter account.

"With the absence of [Crosby] in the lineup, we believe we still have a strong leadership group," Sullivan said.

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Crosby Has Had Recurring Health Issues During Career

Crosby is arguably the best player in the league and helped lead Pittsburgh to the postseason in each of the last 10 campaigns. His team won the Stanley Cup last season after winning it in the 2008-09 season and reaching the Stanley Cup Final the year before.

Crosby finished with 85 points in 2015-16 behind 36 goals and 49 assists and has topped the 100-point mark five times in his illustrious career.

Crosby is incredibly quick in the open ice and helps set up the offense as an elite passer and finisher. He is also important in the faceoff circle and makes sure Pittsburgh controls possession throughout the game.

While nobody on the roster was able to replicate what Crosby does, the Penguins have Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen who both helped shoulder more of the load at center.

Bonino provided the Penguins with some much-needed depth last season after spending five years with the Anaheim Ducks and one year with the Vancouver Canucks, finishing with 29 points primarily as a facilitator (20 assists). Cullen is a battle-tested veteran who has been in the league since 1997-98 and understands what is now expected of him.