Tony

Gonzalez

Gonzalez should play Sunday unless he has more problems during practice.

“He ran very well,” coach Dick Vermeil said. “He may be a little sore after going hard today, but he looks good.” The minor injury shouldn’t effect Gonzalez’ draft status. He looks like a fourth-round pick to us.

Ugh. It’s the same foot he had surgery on last winter. ''I’m concerned about Tony, because he’s had a problem with that before,’' coach Dick Vermeil said.

Gonzalez, who left the Chief’s scrimmage Saturday after hurting his surgically repaired foot, was walking without crutches yesterday. “He’s sore, and he has a chronic foot problem,” coach Dick Vermeil said. “Every once in a while he hits in a way where he irritates it. (Saturday) night he did that. I don’t know how much practice time he’s going to miss, but he’ll miss a little time.”

Gonzalez caught several deep passes from Trent Green after leaving Saturday’s practice with a sore foot.

The surgery hasn’t helped Gonzalez avoid soreness. He’s only practicing once a day. We’d be concerned, but this was the same foot Gonzalez ''struggled’’ with last season when he was piling up yards and touchdowns.

“This is the NFL,” Gonzalez said. “If you can’t play with pain, then this isn’t the game for you.”

The two sides seem optimistic a deal can be reached during training camp. We’re worried how the loss of Willie Roaf and Herm Edwards’ slow offensive pace will affect Gonzo’s numbers this season.

2006 is a contract year for the former All-Pro tight end, who wants a deal done soon. “Technically, Carl (Peterson) doesn’t have to do anything now unless he wants to, but I would prefer to get it done now,” he said. “I’d like to go into the season with peace of mind.” Gonzalez has not taken part in Chiefs offseason workouts.

Gonzo wasn’t targeted often until the Chiefs were trying to come back in the fourth quarter with Damon Huard at the helm. If you started him, you beat the odds this week, but Gonzalez could become a tough play in fantasy leagues if Trent Green stays on the shelf.