Gruden: Hilliard 'checked out okay'

Bucs wide receiver Ike Hilliard was released from the hospital Sunday night, and "all indications are good,'' coach Jon Gruden said during his news conference Monday at One Buc Place.

Hilliard left the field on a cart with a head injury after he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit from Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill following a catch in the first half of the Bucs' 20-10 win over the Seahawks.

"I think the good news is he's going to be okay,'' Gruden said. "We'll let you know on his status in the coming days.''

Gruden called Hilliard questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas. With Maurice Stovall already out, the Bucs will have to lean heavily on Antonio Bryant, who had 115 receiving yards against Seattle, Michael Clayton and Brian Clark.

Joey Galloway, whom Gruden nicknamed the ''White Tiger'' because he is so seldom seen on the field, is a possibility to return after missing five games with a foot sprain.

"I'll be looking in the cage to see if he's out,'' Gruden said.

Other highlights:

+ Gruden expressed concern over running back Warrick Dunn, who left the game with a pinched nerve in his upper back.

+ Gruden opened his news conference with a nod to the World Series-bound Rays.

"No. 1, congratulations to the Devil Rays,'' Gruden said. "We're all really excited for them. ... If we could beat Philadelphia, that would be great.''

Gruden said he '"learned a number of adjectives'' from Philadelphia fans when the Bucs beat the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game en route to their victory in Super Bowl XXXVII.

"We want this series bad,'' he said.

(Pictured: Ike Hilliard. Times photo -- Brendan Fitterer.)