Could there be another bad ending in Melissa Rycroft’s reality show run?

Although it seemed like we had finally gotten past the Dancing with Stars curse, Jason Mesnick’s ex was absent from tonight’s taping. It was revealed that a rib injury suffered last week was actually a hairline fracture.

Despite Melissa’s efforts to perform this week, it became painfully clear after rehearsals that she couldn’t go on. Assuming she’s able to return to the competition (it’s currently believed she will), the judges went ahead and scored her pre-taped jive. (That was what they also did in the Steve-O back injury situation.) Unfortunately, the dry run with Tony Dovolani offered little substance and only earned a 21.

We should expect an update on Rycroft’s status on tomorrow’s results show.

(You can find all the Dancing with the Stars: Season 8 posts here.)