Penguins center Sidney Crosby has been out of action since Dec. 5 with concussion-like symptoms, and now, Sportsnet Ontario is reporting his injuries may be more extensive.
On HOCKEY CENTRAL Saturday, Bob McCown of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reported that Crosby was concerned about the treatment he was receiving in Pittsburgh, so he saw a specialist in Utah where an MRI indicated that there was an abnormality with Crosby's C1 and C2 vertebrae.
The Prime Time Sports host said he learned of the news on Wednesday and said there were two unnamed sources close to the situation that he was in contact with.
On his Twitter account, McCown says in a series of tweets that Crosby's Pittsburgh doctors missed the vertebrae injuries and that the the 24-year old center is unhappy with them. He's been seeing specialists across the country lately, including the one in Utah that reportedly noticed the injury.
McCown said it is unclear if Crosby suffered a second concussion after being hit by Boston's David Krejci on Dec. 5, but that doctors expect him to heal in time for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Craig Custance reports Penguins general manager Ray Shero had this to say about Crosby's status on Tuesday. He seems to like Crosby's chances of returning this season, too, though he's cautiously optimistic.
"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," Shero said following the Board of Governors meeting. "We want to continue to look to see how we can get this under control and manageable so he can return to play."
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"Let's just see what happens this week once we get some more information from his trip to California," Shero said. "I'm optimistic he's going to play."
Below is video of McCown talking with Sportsnet.
For the latest on Sidney Crosby's injury status, be sure to stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh.