As Thiago Silva lay prone on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pitch, Chelsea fans understandably feared the worst.
The Brazilian has been the Blues' standout defender this season, producing a series of composed and commanding displays and even captaining the side on nine occasions.
In a back four under Frank Lampard or back three under Thomas Tuchel, the 36-year-old has been a reassuring presence and his experience has proved invaluable among what is a young Chelsea squad.
So the prospect of losing Silva for a prolonged spell was one no Blues fan will have wanted to consider. Fortunately, the fact the former Paris Saint-Germain captain was able to leave Tottenham's pitch of his own volition suggested the injury he had sustained wasn't serious.
Tuchel confirmed after the game Silva had injured his thigh. He would miss the following match against Sheffield United and the FA Cup against Barnsley, a fixture he was never likely to feature in either way.
Ahead of the Blues' visit to Oakwell, Chelsea's head coach delivered an update on the Brazilian international's fitness.: "I would like him back for maybe Southampton, that’s realistic but also ambitious," Tuchel said.
"I know Thiago, he will do everything to be ready as soon as possible but it is a muscle injury so you cannot take any risk.”
Silva, as expected, wasn't included in the squad for Monday's victory over Newcastle United, after which the players were given two days off by Tuchel.
We will almost certainly find out by the end of today whether the centre-back has rejoined training on the squad's return to Cobham. But that should have no bearing over whether he features at St Mary's on Saturday.
There is, quite simply, little reason to risk Silva against Southampton even if he is once again fit. After the trip to the south coast, the Blues face a run of fixtures that may define their season.
Chelsea play the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Games against Manchester United, Everton and Leeds United follow in the Premier League. The second leg against Atleti takes place on March 17.
Silva, if fit, will be required for these matches. Nobody in the Blues squad can rival his Champions League experience – he has played 83 times in the competition – while his composure will be needed as Chelsea attempt to secure a place in the top four.
That Andreas Christensen has also slotted in seamlessly into the back three in Silva's absence only strengthens the argument that Silva can be given this weekend off.
"I have played in the middle of the three before and I’m quite comfortable there," the Dane told Chelsea's website this week.
"At the moment, when we are playing good football and getting wins, it is helping us so we don’t have to do too much to change it."
With the trip to Budapest to face Atletico very much on the horizon for Chelsea, Tuchel may very well opt to rotate his side on Saturday, especially as Southampton have lost their last six top-flight matches.
But the back three which started against Newcastle – Cesar Azpilicueta, Christensen, Antonio Rudiger – should remain intact to give Silva every opportunity to be fit and ready for the crucial fixtures ahead.
