"In the violence-heavy, manhood-testing NFL, there is constant warfare between hearts and heads when it comes to playing hurt. Doctors and coaches usually have the final word. Otherwise, short of severed limbs, the heart prevails.

"Usually," said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who would know.

Hobbling with his high-ankle sprain between stadium blackouts during Monday night's 20-3 loss to San Francisco, Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, took three sacks and produced a 52.3 quarterback rating, his lowest in 31 regular-season games dating to Nov. 15, 2009.

The nasty Niners defense had much to do with that, but Roethlisberger's utter lack of mobility also contributed. Moving in the pocket — dropping back or escaping trouble — is central to his game. Without that he is a different, and lesser, quarterback."