Report: Roethlisberger diagnosed with mid-foot sprain, expected to miss a few weeks

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to miss a few weeks of action after being diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain following Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Schefter added that the team initially suspected Roethlisberger had suffered a Lisfranc injury, which almost certainly would have put his status for the rest of the 2015 season in jeopardy.

The relatively favorable timeline for his return can certainly be taken as positive news, but another extended absence for the star quarterback is a crushing blow to a team that has dealt with a rash of injuries to its best players this season.

Le'Veon Bell was lost for the season last week and Roethlisberger just returned from a significant knee injury that forced him to sit out Weeks 4-7.

Third-year quarterback Landry Jones was able to guide the Steelers to a win over the Raiders following Roethlisberger's fourth-quarter exit Sunday, and he should continue to work in that role until the starter is able to return.