Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has visited multiple specialists recently as he attempts to shake lingering post-concussion symptoms, the team's website said Wednesday.
CTV News reported Monday that Crosby suspended his training after suffering a recurrence of concussion-like symptoms and wouldn't be ready when the Penguins open camp Sept. 16.
Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, denied the report, but the team said Wednesday that Crosby began suffering from headaches again when his workouts reached 90 percent.
"We always knew this was going to be a progressive recovery -- based on how he felt," Brisson said in Wednesday's statement. "With a concussion, there is not a finite recovery period like with a shoulder injury or a knee injury. That's why we've never even set a specific goal for a return date like the start of training camp or Oct. 1 or anything else. He will play when he is symptom free."
Crosby hasn't played in a game since Jan. 5, missing the end of the regular season and Pittsburgh's first-round playoff loss to Tampa Bay as he recovered from a concussion. Crosby said in April he would be back for training camp, but Brisson and Penguins general manager Ray Shero have both reiterated there is no timetable.
"I appreciate all the support I've received from my family, friends, teammates and fans and from the entire Penguins organization," Crosby said in a statement released by the team Wednesday. "I know they only want the best for my health, and for me to be fully ready when I return to game action."
Crosby was in the midst of an MVP-type season before the injury, with 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in 41 games. He sustained hits in consecutive games in early January before being diagnosed with the concussion. He flirted with returning during the playoffs before a series of setbacks kept him off the ice.
According to the team, Crosby is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh within the next few weeks to be evaluated before the start of camp.
"We wish we could provide more specific details about Sidney's recovery, but a concussion is a different kind of injury," Brisson said. "It's not something you can check with an X-ray. And you can't predict a recovery period. It's all about the way he feels."
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.