NHL-Crosby suffered neck injury as well as concussion
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney
Crosby has sustained a serious neck injury as well a concussion,
the National Hockey League team said on Saturday.
Crosby, who has been sidelined since early December after a
relapse of concussion like symptoms, was recently examined by
neurological spine specialist Dr. Robert Bray in Los Angeles
where tests revealed the neck injury.
Crosby’s agent Pat Brisson, told CBC’s Hockey Night in
Canada that the Canadian may have fractured two vertebrae when
he was hit by Boston Bruins David Krejci on Dec. 5.
“The diagnosis of Dr. Robert S. Bray, a neurological spine
specialist based in Los Angeles, is that Sidney Crosby had
suffered a neck injury in addition to a concussion,” the team
said in a statement. “Dr. Bray reports that the neck injury is
fully healed.
“Those findings will be evaluated by independent specialists
over the next few days.
“The most important goal all along has been Sidney’s return
to full health, and we are encouraged that progress continues to
be made.”
Crosby, the NHL’s most popular player and biggest name,
missed the final 41 games of last season and the first 20 games
this season before making his long awaited return in November.
He scored 12 points in eight games but began experiencing
concussion symptoms again in early December and has not played
since Dec. 5.
“Hopefully we’ll see next week as to where he is and we’ll
get the reports from California and compare notes to what’s been
done so far,” Penguins general manager Ray Shero told reporters.
“We want to continue to look to see how we can get this
under control and manageable so he can return to play.”