WASHINGTON – Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma announced Wednesday night that Sidney Crosby is joining the Penguins for their current road swing and will begin skating on his own during a two-game trip to Florida this weekend.

The Penguins play against the Capitals at the Verizon Center on Wednesday night, then head south for games Friday night at Florida and Sunday afternoon at Tampa Bay.

“Tonight, Sidney Crosby will be joining us on the road trip,” Bylsma told the media prior to the Penguins’ game against the Capitals. “He will be skating during this trip. He also will at some point and time address the media as well. No set plan, but this will happen in the next few days.

However, Bylsma added that there is still no timetable for Crosby’s return to the lineup.

“(Crosby) has been working out with light exercises in the weight room and on the bike,” Bylsma said. “We’ll be glad to see him on the ice.”

Crosby has not played since Dec. 5 and last practiced with the Penguins two days later. There’s been little news from the Penguins about their captain since then, other than Bylsma saying two weeks ago that Crosby was still having concussion-like symptoms.

Crosby was sidelined by a concussion from Jan. 5 through Nov. 21, when he made a spectacular return with two goals and two assists against the New York Islanders. He had 12 points in eight games before being sidelined again.

Bylsma also said that Dustin Jeffrey will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Capitals and skate between Pascal Dupuis and Tyler Kennedy. Jeffrey hasn’t played since Nov. 3 due to a knee injury.

However, Bylsma said rookie defenseman Simon Despres, who was recalled to play in Tuesday’s game against Ottawa, suffered a sprained knee and will be out two to four weeks. He played only three minutes during the 5-1 loss to the Senators and was ruled to have a lower-body injury during the second period.