Injured Hilliard vows to play against the Rams

   Ike Hilliard is down but not out.

  Hilliard, 31, has a left ankle sprain and missed his second straight practice Friday. But Hilliard vowed to play Sunday against the Rams.

   ""I've come too far, man,'' Hilliard said Friday. ""I've been waiting for this opportunity to be a starter.

   ""I'll be there with bells on.''

   Hilliard was injured Wednesday in practice trying to catch a pass when he collided with safety Will Allen.

   ""Will was tracking the ball and he ended up taking me out,'' Hilliard said. ""I went up, he was tracking the ball, he never went up for the ball, he goes through me and my left foot gets caught in the ground.

   ""It's a lot better today than it was too days ago. I can at least get up on my toes.''

   With Hilliard out, Michael Clayton took reps at No. 2 receiver while Maurice Stovall could be used in three receiver sets. ""It'll be Stovall or Clayton,'' coach Jon Gruden said. ""We're running out of guys. We'll play somebody. We'll put an extra tight end in there. We'll play with 11.''

   It's a bad break for Hilliard, who was getting a chance to start again in his 11th season. Hilliard is second on the club with six catches for 100 yards.

   Hilliard said Allen has taken some heat for the play in practice.

   '""Plays like that aren't supposed to happen in practice,'' Hilliard said. ""I've got to keep his head up. (He's taking heat) from some people, but I don't want to make a big deal about it. It's just football.''

   The Bucs only have five receivers on the roster if you include kick returner Mark Jones as part of that mix.

   Cornerback Brian Kelly practiced Friday and is expected to play. Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (knee) is questionable for the game.

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