Mike Matheson, Zach Aston-Reese full participants at practice for Penguins; Jared McCann sits again

A day after leaving practice following a collision with a teammate, Mike Matheson was back on the ice for a full practice with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Jared McCann, however, was not.

But the initial word on McCann’s injury is that it is not a serious one.

Skating on the left side of a No. 2 pairing with John Marino, Matheson showed no obvious ill effects from Monday’s incident that had him lying on the ice for several moments while athletic trainer Chris Stewart attended to him.

Acquired via an offseason trade, Matheson returned to game action Saturday following an eight-game absence because of an undisclosed injury.

Oh hey didn’t see ya there. This is a professional ice hockey team practicing skills.

Not doing so is Jared McCann, who is physically unable to perform. By all accounts, all other members of the Pittaburgh Penguins are present. pic.twitter.com/pFEpTCb6eE

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) February 9, 2021

McCann was forced out of Saturday’s loss at the New York Islanders, and he continues to be absent from practice the past two days at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry.

“I think right now I’m comfortable saying that Jared McCann is day-to-day with a lower-body injury,” assistant coach Todd Reirden said after practice.

Also on the ice taking a regular spot in line rushes was forward Zach Aston-Reese, who has not played yet this season because of August shoulder surgery. Aston-Reese was on a third-line left wing along with former running mates Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.

Keep up with the Pittsburgh Penguins all season long.