Under league rules, if a player is placed on the injured list, he must wait seven days to return to action. But because Crosby was still on the injured list from last season, the seven-day waiting period would not apply, the source said.
Crosby is continuing to recover from concussion-like symptoms sustained last January. He has been skating with the Penguins since training camp opened but has not yet been cleared for contact.
The Penguins open the season on Thursday at Vancouver.
