AP

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will miss time with a knee injury, but he won’t miss as much time as some in Pittsburgh feared.

Roethlisberger was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and bone bruise but no damage to his ACL, a league source tells PFT. Although it will probably be about a week before Roethlisberger has a target return date, he’s expected to miss about four to six weeks.

When Roethlisberger went down clutching his knee in St. Louis today and had to be carted to the locker room, many observers were fearing the worst. The way Roethlisberger’s leg bent, it looked like it could have been a season-ending injury.

Instead, it’s an injury that will cost him a month. Michael Vick will start for the Steelers for four weeks, and then Roethlisberger will be ready to lead the team down the stretch.