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Sidney Crosby’s agent: Crosby’s post-concussion symptoms returned during heavy workouts

Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, right, and Jordan Staal look on during hockey practice in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, April 13, 2011. Crosby has not been cleared to play in tonight’s first-round NHL playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

We’ve heard a lot about Sidney Crosby lately and with training camp coming up in just a few weeks we’re only going to hear more about whether or not he’ll be able to get back out on the ice sooner or later.

Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, did give an informative update about how he’s handling his workouts in preparation for a comeback to action on the ice. The word from Brisson is discouraging for Penguins and Crosby fans out there.

Matthew Sekeres and Dave McGinn from The Globe & Mail in Toronto get the update from Brisson.

Mr. Crosby’s agent surfaced late Wednesday night to say his client’s symptoms resurfaced at the 90-per-cent exertion level, which was an important clue to the status of his recovery for doctors who specialize in treating concussions. According to experts interviewed Thursday, Mr. Crosby’s inability to exercise symptom-free at the 90-per-cent exertion level could mean that he will have to start his comeback from square one, but it most certainly means that the Penguins superstar will have to back off his recovery with training camp less than one month away.

News like this is especially disappointing to hear given that it’s been more than eight months since Crosby’s been injured. While we’ve only heard a little bit from Sid himself and have stressed that it’s best to just let him do things at his own pace to get back on the ice, fans are going to be eager to see him back on the ice as soon as possible.

With Crosby having issues like this, however, it stresses how important it is for guys dealing with head injuries to be fully healthy before trying to come back to action. Picture what would happen if Crosby ignored these symptoms and said, “Screw it, the team needs me. I’m playing.” All it takes is another hit, even one that doesn’t appear to be one that targets the head (much like the hit by Victor Hedman that put him out of action) that can set everything back to square one and then extend how long it could be before he returns to action.

That’s a scenario the Penguins don’t want to face up to. It’s one that the NHL doesn’t want to see happen either. Putting the face of the franchise (and the league) in danger like that is not something anyone wants to see. For Crosby, let’s hope that he continues his comeback at his own pace and won’t feel stressed out by feeling the need to get back to action.