While the Houston Texans must handle Minnesota Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson, they won’t have to take on his running mate.
On top of that, two key defensive players won’t suit up for Sunday’s game on Minnesota’s side due to injury.
The Vikings ruled receiver Jordan Addison, edge rusher Dallas Turner and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. out for Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Addison and Turner didn’t practice all week, while Pace was limited entering Friday’s walk-throughs.
Addison, a former first-round pick out of USC, left early in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants due to an ankle injury. He didn’t play last Sunday in a 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
When asked about Addison’s status, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell noted that he made some good progress this week.
“Not all the way to the point where we could be 100 percent confident he wouldn’t have a setback of any kind,” O’Connell told reporters. “Ultimately the most important thing is over the long term of this season getting him back to a place where he’s ready to rock and roll.”
Turner, a former teammate of Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama, left early in Sunday’s win because of a knee issue. Over his first two weeks, Turner has totaled five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
Pace, who impressed last season as an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati, has recorded 15 tackles in two starts. He’s been reportedly dealing with a quad injury and was limited throughout the week.
Jalen Nailor is expected to fill the void as the No. 2 target opposite Jefferson. Edge rusher Pat Jones II will likely see an increased role in place of Turner opposite former Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard.
As for Pace, former Houston linebacker Blake Cashman likely takes over as the voice of the defense while Brian Asamoah and Kamu Grugier-Hill split reps in his spot.
In place of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, the Texans plan to have an increased role for Cam Akers. Vikings fans should remember the former second-round pick since he played six games in Minneapolis last season before suffering a torn Achilles in early November.
After a promising preseason, Akers took over the No. 3 RB role entering the regular season. Last week when Mixon left with an ankle injury, he became the feature back, totaling 32 yards on seven carries.
Akers told reporters earlier this week he’s always waiting for a moment to present itself.”
You don’t got to get ready when you stay ready,” Akers said. “I’ve been preparing for this moment, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”
Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.
The Texans are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2012 and their first victory over Minnesota in franchise history.
