We promise we didn't intend to jinx Ben Roethlisberger when we put him at the top of our NFL MVP leaderboard just days before he suffered a knee injury during the Steelers' loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
But, of course, a star player's true value is realized most in his absence.
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Roethlisberger, 34, was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee Sunday and was scheduled to have surgery Monday. He already has been ruled out for next week's home game against the Patriots, but no timetable has been set otherwise for his return.
In some ways, this is exactly what Pittsburgh fans feared when Roethlisberger limped to the locker room in the second quarter. But the possibility of a return at all this season means the quarterback and the Steelers might have dodged a bigger bullet.
Landry Jones backed up Roethlisberger in the loss to Miami, and for now, he's expected to play over Zach Mettenberger in the starter's absence. While Jones might not be the best backup QB in the NFL, he's one of the most experienced thanks to Roethlisberger's previous injuries.
Look no further than last season, when Pittsburgh lost Roethlisberger for four weeks to an MCL sprain. Knees, ribs, ankles, shoulders, head injuries — Roethlisberger's NFL medical bill through more than 12 seasons is as long as you'll find.
Which is why Pittsburgh should be prepared. When the foundation of your offense has started all 16 games just three times during his career, you're ready for the worst.
And based on early reports, this isn't the worst.
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The Steelers survived last year without Roethlisberger, going 2-2 in the four weeks he missed in October. It was enough for a playoff run and an eventual divisional-round loss to the Broncos.
The timing this season isn't ideal in terms of the looming New England matchup, which was supposed to pit two of the AFC's top 3 contenders. But now the bye week that follows the Patriots game is a beautiful sight.
We'll know how deep to examine the Steelers' schedule when we receive post-surgery information on Roethlisberger's status and possible return (4-6 weeks is reasonable based on comparable scenarios). They still get the Ravens, who as of Week 6 were the only team applying pressure in the AFC North, twice. They get the Cowboys at home in Week 10, but the schedule opens up after the Dallas game.
This is a good test for a team that has no business sitting at 4-2 — Sunday's loss in Miami was inexplicable, and Pittsburgh has rolled over all its opponents not named Philadelphia.
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Among things the likes of LeVeon Bell, DeAngelo Williams and Antonio Brown have learned playing with Roethlisberger is how to survive without him for short periods of time. They'll need a little more help from a defense that's giving up a little more than 20 points per game, but there's enough talent on this team to compete in the interim.
Roethlisberger, notoriously tough, should be able to return from a torn meniscus in time for the Steelers to save a season otherwise drenched in optimism. Don't count them out until you can count their quarterback out for good.