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Neurosurgeon Weighs In On Sidney's Situation

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Dr. Jack Wilberger is not Sidney Crosby's doctor and he's not even sure what symptoms Sid is having.

But Wilberger says the fact that Sid is having any symptoms eight months after his concussion is a major concern.

"The level of concern increases with each month that it continues to bother him," Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital, said.

Crosby did not return for the remainder of the season, and while the expectation is that he'll be ready for the start of this season -- there is some question that he won't be.

"It concerned me that it went on for the entire rest of the season which was three months or four months past early January – it's even more concerning now," Dr. Wilberger said.

Pens General Manager Ray Shero reiterated today that Sid has shown good improvement over the summer -- has worked out strenuously -- and has not had to cut back on those workouts.

Throughout this ordeal, the team has said it would err on the side of caution when it came to his return.

"He's not going to be pushed to come back to practice or play and, you know, I want to make sure a year from now, three years from now, five years from now that he's still the best player in the league," Shero said.

Still, Dr. Wilberger says it's crucial that the symptoms go away within the next few months.

"As a general rule, the longer something like this is drawn out, the less likely it is going to completely resolve," he said.

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