Tampa Bay wide receiver Ike Hilliard insists he's fine, but that's not what a local newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The St. Petersburg Times reported that Hilliard was suffering from the lingering effects of a concussion he sustained in Tampa Bay's game vs. Seattle on Oct. 19. According to the report, Hilliard, who underwent spinal fusion surgery as a rookie in 1997, still was suffering from headaches and likely would miss Sunday's game vs. Minnesota and possibly more.

The report went on to state that the concussion could threaten his career and attempted to support the notion with two quotes, which are included below.

"I've been dealing with something on and off for the last five years, but now it's constant,'' Hilliard told the Times. "Obviously, after the hit, it's something I've got to get control of.

"I saw three specialists. Two told me I could play again and one told me I should never step on a football field again,'' Hilliard said of his injury with the Giants. ""I had to deal with that. It's a decision you make. My mom, God bless her, I miss her, she was a spiritually grounded woman. She was one who really didn't want me to play but she turned it over for me and we all have to turn it over at some point if you believe in something.''

Hilliard, 32, deemed the Times' report erroneous on Thursday, claiming that the reporter misinterpreted Hilliard's comments.

"Everybody is entitled to write what they want to write, but I'm not having any issues with my concussion," said Hilliard. "I'm dealing with issues just like everybody in this locker room. It is just wear and tear from the season.

"Seriously, the quotes are word for word. It says nothing about a concussion. I said I was dealing with some other stuff. It is wear and tear from the season. I did not say the word ‘concussion' at all."

Hilliard, who has caught 33 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns in nine games (one start) this season, practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday. Although the Times' report stated that Hilliard was expected to miss Sunday's game, Hilliard said he would be in uniform.

"I'm playing. [Coach Gruden] doesn't have to suggest it. I'm playing," said Hilliard. "There's no doubt whatsoever. There never was any."

In other injury news, Bucs running back Earnest Graham returned to practice in a limited fashion Thursday after missing workouts on Monday and Wednesday with a knee injury he sustained vs. Kansas City.

The Bucs believe Graham, who has rushed for 560 yards on 131 carries (4.3 avg.) and four touchdowns, will be able to play vs. Minnesota's defense, which ranks third against the run.

"He looked pretty good. The bye week came at a good time for him," Bucs head coach Jon Gruden said of Graham. "The same goes for Warrick [Dunn]. We're counting on those guys at this point."

In addition to safety Jermaine Phillips, who still is recovering from surgery to repair his fractured forearm, Bucs tight end Alex Smith (ankle) missed practice again and quarterback Brian Griese (elbow) was limited.

Smith, who has caught 19 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns, likely will be replaced by tight ends Jerramy Stevens and John Gilmore should he not be able to play vs. the Vikings.

"Alex Smith is a key member of our offense and team," said Gruden. "He's played a lot of roles. We're concerned about his status for this game."

Griese was injured vs. Denver on Oct. 5. Gruden suggested Griese would return soon. In the meantime, Luke McCown will continue to serve as the number two quarterback while rookie QB Josh Johnson serves as the emergency signal caller.

"We're just trying to get the arm totally healed," said Gruden. "We think he'll be okay, hopefully in a few days. We have plenty of quarterbacks to work with."

Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks (knee), defensive lineman Jimmy Wikerson (illness), Dunn (back), Hilliard (shoulder) and defensive tackle Jovan Haye (foot) had full participation in practice on Thursday.

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