The center took part in the morning skate before the preseason finale at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Crosby had skated on his own before practice throughout camp after having wrist surgery Sept. 8.
"He is on schedule. And it does indicate progress," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "That's obviously his first practice joining the group. I would anticipate more of that moving forward. We're real encouraged by the progress that he's made to this point.
"He's in terrific shape. He's been working real hard with (skills coach) Ty Hennes behind the scenes with what he can do."
The recovery was expected to be at least six weeks from the date of the surgery, which would keep the Penguins captain out at least the first week of the regular season. Pittsburgh opens its season at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS).
Sullivan said he anticipates Crosby traveling to Tampa Bay, but that is not certain. If Crosby does travel, it would likely be to continue practicing and not to play against the Lightning or at the Florida Panthers on Thursday.
The Penguins are also without second-line center
Evgeni Malkin
, who is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season after having knee surgery June 4.
Defenseman Mike Matheson returned to practice Saturday after leaving early Friday with what Sullivan called a "nagging lower-body thing." Forward Zach Aston-Reese took part in the skate after being removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Crosby and Aston-Reese rotated on a fourth defense pair with Matheson. Crosby, Matheson and Aston-Reese are not listed as part of the roster for the game against Columbus.
Jeff Carter skated in Crosby's usual position at first-line center with left wing Danton Heinen and right wing Bryan Rust. First-line left wing Jake Guentzel is in COVID-19 protocol.
"It was great to see [Crosby] back," Carter said. "It's exciting for us to be out there and skating with him, having him back in the group. … I guess a good step for him. It's a good sign for our team that he's back and integrating into some practices and stuff, and whatnot. So hopefully, we can just keep moving forward with it."
Crosby worked on his own with Hennes when the Penguins worked on special teams.
After leading the Penguins with 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 55 regular-season games last season, Crosby had one goal and one assist in a six-game loss to the New York Islanders in the Stanley Cup First Round.
"He's making real encouraging progress," Sullivan said. "It's great for our team when he's back on the ice. I think our team had a certain jump in its step. He just has that influence on the group. Everybody's excited that he's getting closer."
