A surgical instrument , comprising: an end effector; and a firing assembly configured to transmit a firing load to said end effector during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises: a first portion; a second portion; and a fuse portion , wherein said fuse portion is configured to transmit said firing load from said first portion to said second portion when said fuse portion is intact, wherein said fuse portion is configured to fail when said firing load exceeds a threshold, and wherein said first portion cannot transmit said firing load to said second portion once said fuse portion has failed, wherein said first portion comprises a flexible first rod , wherein said second portion comprises a second rod , and wherein said flexible first rod is configured to bend and disengage from said second rod when said firing load exceeds said threshold; characterized in that said firing assembly further comprises a collar , wherein said second rod is slidably positioned in said collar, wherein said flexible first rod is not positioned in said collar when said firing stroke is initiated, wherein said flexible first rod is configured to enter into said collar during said firing stroke, and wherein said collar is configured to prevent said flexible first rod from disengaging from said second rod. an end effector; and a firing assembly configured to transmit a firing load to said end effector during a firing stroke, wherein said firing assembly comprises: a first portion; a second portion; and a fuse portion , wherein said fuse portion is configured to transmit said firing load from said first portion to said second portion when said fuse portion is intact, wherein said fuse portion is configured to fail when said firing load exceeds a threshold, and wherein said first portion cannot transmit said firing load to said second portion once said fuse portion has failed, wherein said first portion comprises a flexible first rod , wherein said second portion comprises a second rod , and wherein said flexible first rod is configured to bend and disengage from said second rod when said firing load exceeds said threshold; a first portion; a second portion; and a fuse portion , wherein said fuse portion is configured to transmit said firing load from said first portion to said second portion when said fuse portion is intact, wherein said fuse portion is configured to fail when said firing load exceeds a threshold, and wherein said first portion cannot transmit said firing load to said second portion once said fuse portion has failed, wherein said first portion comprises a flexible first rod , wherein said second portion comprises a second rod , and wherein said flexible first rod is configured to bend and disengage from said second rod when said firing load exceeds said threshold; characterized in that said firing assembly further comprises a collar , wherein said second rod is slidably positioned in said collar, wherein said flexible first rod is not positioned in said collar when said firing stroke is initiated, wherein said flexible first rod is configured to enter into said collar during said firing stroke, and wherein said collar is configured to prevent said flexible first rod from disengaging from said second rod. <EOS>