Kansas City, Mo. ? The injury situation is much brighter than the Kansas City Chiefs glumly had expected after four starters went out during Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets.

Cornerback Patrick Surtain and fullback Tony Richardson probably would play this week at Oakland, coach Dick Vermeil said Tuesday.

But especially encouraging was the report on the hamstring injury to left tackle Willie Roaf. The coaches had feared the 10-time Pro Bowler, who left the game early, experienced a severe setback which could sideline him for a month or more and throw their offensive line into disarray.

Roaf was a big worry after he came out of the Jets game early.

“I thought it might be popped, a tear where his muscle rolled up, that tissue, muscle tissue rolled up,” Vermeil said. “But that did not happen.”

Instead, an MRI brought good news for a key member of the offensive line.

“It could be labeled as more of a strain. Of course, he’s the only one who can tell. It’s his muscle,” Vermeil said. “But the MRI indicates that to us. They felt better about it.”

Whether Roaf can play this week remains a big question mark.

“We’ll wait until tomorrow,” Vermeil said. “Maybe he’ll end up being just like Tony Richardson.”

The only long-term injury could be to defensive tackle Ryan Sims, who also left the game early because of a foot injury.

“Ryan Sims is going for a second opinion, flying to (North) Carolina as requested by (team physician) Dr. Jon Browne,” Vermeil said. “We’re hopeful it will only be a minimum time he’s missing.”

Richardson went out because of a sprained knee, and Surtain suffered a mild concussion when he was tackled while returning an interception.

“Tony Richardson is a lot better today,” Vermeil said. “He had a big smile. He’s down there working out right now. Patrick Surtain will be fine.”

Right tackle Kevin Sampson also might be ready by Sunday.

“I feel a little bit better than I did last night about our injury situation,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs were continuing their regular practice of bringing in outside players for a look.

“We always prepare for the worst,” Vermeil said. “You can’t assume somebody’s going to be there, then all of a sudden he’s not. You plan for this and for that. We’ll prepare for the worst-case scenario, and if it doesn’t go that way, then we’ve gained a player or two.”

One of the players getting a look was a place-kicker, Vermeil said, which is not surprising since Lawrence Tynes has struggled. He connected on his first two field goals Sunday, but later missed from 32 yards.

“We have people working out right now. But that’s a procedure we’ll try to go through every Tuesday – bring in three or four guys to take a look at. Just to stockpile and prepare in case we lose somebody. Last week we had some receivers in. This week, defensive linemen, offensive linemen, a kicker, a fullback.”