Mike Smith: 'Never count Tony Gonzalez out'

Mike Smith has said that he could never count Tony Gonzalez out, despite the tight end missing time in practice this week.

The 37-year-old sat out the Atlanta Falcons' practice with a toe injury yesterday, but is expected to be back on the practice field later today.

The head coach told reporters: "I would never count Tony Gonzalez out, never. Tony didn't practice today, but we hope he will get out here tomorrow and do some things for us.

"It's a division game against a football team that is a lot better than their record. Defensively they are playing very good football, and their young quarterback, I think, is improving.

"We're going to have to stop the run. They do a great job of running the football, and we're going to have to be able to run the football because they have done a good job stopping it."

The Falcons face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend.