(Reuters) - 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 December 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 December 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."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Patrick Johnston)
