The Facts: Roethlisberger, who had outpatient surgery Monday morning plans on missing just the New England game at Heinz Field. He hopes to be back after the team's bye Oct. 30 to play in Baltimore Nov. 6 against the Ravens. But he knows that might be impractical because he's 34 and because of his medical history. "Doc says my knee looked good, but there still was some stuff in there from when I had my bone bruise last season in St. Louis," Roethlisberger said Tuesday. "He said that might keep me out a little longer than just a simple meniscus tear. Maybe an extra week or so. But there's no way to put an exact timetable on it. It all depends on my pain and how I feel."

Diehards Line: Roethlisberger said his rehabilitation began as soon as he returned home Monday afternoon. “I’m icing and elevating as we speak.” Roethlisberger said Steelers team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Bradley and coach Mike Tomlin told him to do the first week to 10 days of his rehab at home. “But that’s going to be hard for me. I have to go in this week to see the guys. I’ll call Landry [Jones] and check in with him. I want to do everything I can to help him. I just hope coach lets me be on the sideline Sunday.” Jones will get the start against the Patriots. And we'll see if he's needed beyond that after the Steelers' bye.