Despres, who took a hit from behind during Sunday's win over the Blue Jackets, is being evaluated for a concussion, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Coach Mike Johnston suggested it was just a precautionary measure at this point, but the results of Despres' tests should become available by Tuesday. The blueliner hasn't yet been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Avalanche.

Despres potted his second goal of the season (in 46 games) Friday for his first career game-winner. He totaled just one hit after compiling 20 hits in his last four games, but fantasy owners will have to settle for a game-winning goal on five shots. After the contest, coach Mike Johnston said that Despres could see a bump up in playing time -- and with Kris Letang.

Despres (illness) will play Tuesday against the Jets. Despres' status for Tuesday's game was in question after he indicated following Monday's practice that he wasn't feeling fully healthy, but he'll attempt to gut it out as the Pens enter their second-half schedule. The 23-year-old, who has a goal and 12 points in 43 games this season, will pair up with Robert Scuderi on the third pairing.

Despres (illness) looks like he could be a game-time decision for Tuesday's tilt with the Jets, Dejan Kovacevic of DKonPittsburghSports.com reports. Despres has been able to skate the last couple of days, but it still doesn't seem like he's quite 100 percent healthy since falling ill last week. The Penguins will likely assess his condition shortly before warmups before deciding if he or Scott Harrington will join the lineup as the Pens' sixth defenseman.

Coach Mike Johnston said that Despres (illness) will not play Wednesday against the Senators, NHL.com's Wes Crosby reports. Despres has been feeling sick since Tuesday morning and will miss his second straight game as a consequence. Unless he's the newest Penguins player to succumb to the mumps, Despres should be fully healthy when the team resumes action next week after the All-Star break. Derrick Pouliot was recalled from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday to provide an extra body in Despres' stead.

Despres (illness) will not play Tuesday against the Flyers, Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The Penguins hoped Despres' condition would improve enough over the afternoon to allow him to suit up Tuesday evening, but that never materialized. With Despres absent from pregame warmups, it looks like Scott Harrington will assume his spot in the Pittsburgh lineup.

Despres missed the Penguins' morning skate with an illness and is questionable to play Tuesday against the Flyers, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Despres stayed behind at the team hotel in an attempt to nurse himself back to full health by the evening. The Penguins will likely reassess his condition during the afternoon before making an official ruling on his status for Tuesday's game. Scott Harrington would be in line to replace Despres in the lineup if the illness keeps him out of commission.

Despres (undisclosed) returned to practice Tuesday, Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittburgh Post-Gazette reports. Despres was forced to exit Monday's practice early with an undisclosed ailment, but his return to action just a day later suggests the injury was only a minor concern. The Penguins expect to have him available as a third-pairing mate for Robert Scuderi on Wednesday against the Bruins.

Despres left practice early because of a nagging injury, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Despres hasn't missed any games recently due to injury, but apparently something has been bothering him. His status for Wednesday's game should become more clear before the game, but there is still another day between now and the game, so more clarity should come of the situation.

Despres racked up two assists, two blocks and four hits in Monday's loss to the Panthers. He tallied a secondary assist while playing on Pittsburgh's second power-play during a third-period comeback. Pens coach Mike Johnston referred to Despres as a veteran Monday as the 23-year-old has earned his spot on the team's blue line. Although he has only nine points (1G, 8A) in 32 games, Despres will eventually produce offensively for fantasy owners once his role increases from a primarily defensive one.