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Sidney Crosby placed on injured reserve after Olympic injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on February 25, 2026, that captain Sidney Crosby has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a lower-body injury at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The club expects him to be sidelined for at least four weeks while medical staff complete evaluations and rehabilitation planning.
Crosby missed Canada’s 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the gold-medal game. He had been held out of the semifinal against Finland as well, after exiting the quarterfinal following a collision with Radko Gudas that left his right leg bent awkwardly. Crosby watched the final from the training room and later joined his teammates for the medal ceremony.
How the injury happened and the immediate response
The incident occurred in a physical sequence of play when Gudas’s hit produced a visible distortion to Crosby’s right leg. On-ice medical staff attended him immediately and escorted him off for further assessment. Replays showed the contact, but Pittsburgh and Hockey Canada did not disclose new diagnostic findings in their initial update.
Club and national medical teams moved quickly. Reports indicate Crosby underwent an MRI and was later photographed in a walking boot at the team hotel. Athletic trainers began standard acute-care treatment — anti-inflammatory measures, protected weight-bearing and repeated checks on pain, range of motion and swelling. The priority, according to medical sources, is ruling out structural damage to ligaments, tendons and cartilage, and confirming joint stability and neurovascular integrity.
No firm prognosis yet
The Penguins did not release detailed medical results or a specific return date. The IR designation — which under NHL rules removes a player from the active roster for a minimum of seven days — gives team doctors time to complete imaging and functional testing. The club emphasized a cautious rehabilitation plan aimed at preserving Crosby’s long-term health rather than forcing a quick comeback.
Impact for the Penguins and Team Canada
Losing Crosby during a pivotal stretch of the season changes the Penguins’ immediate look. Coaches will need to redistribute top-six minutes, reshuffle power-play roles and rely more heavily on wingers for zone entries and playmaking. The team activated defenseman Kris Letang from injured reserve the same day, a corresponding roster move to shore up depth.
For Team Canada, Crosby’s absence removes a veteran presence from selection conversations and puts pressure on depth players to step up. Coaching and medical staffs from both programs will coordinate care and communications as they monitor his progress.
What comes next
Further imaging and specialist consultations will determine whether Crosby’s injury requires non-surgical treatment or something more invasive. If conservative management is chosen, rehab will focus on progressive strength work, functional skating and sport-specific testing before he returns to full practice and contact. The Penguins said they will provide updates as evaluations continue and milestones are met.
Context and outlook
At 38, Crosby remains a defining figure for Pittsburgh — 1,746 career points (652 goals, 1,094 assists) since being the first The club’s message is deliberate: prioritize long-term availability over a rushed timeline. That approach will shape lineup decisions in the coming weeks, as the team adjusts its special teams, line combinations and in-game strategies.
The Penguins were scheduled to return from the Olympic break to face the New Jersey Devils on February 26, meaning Crosby will miss the early post-break matchups and likely several weeks of NHL play. Expect the coaching staff to experiment with new formations in the short term while medical staff monitor his recovery.
Crosby missed Canada’s 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the gold-medal game. He had been held out of the semifinal against Finland as well, after exiting the quarterfinal following a collision with Radko Gudas that left his right leg bent awkwardly. Crosby watched the final from the training room and later joined his teammates for the medal ceremony.0