EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson maintained confidence he would play this week despite the bruised quadriceps that forced him out of the last game.

The Minnesota Vikings agreed with their star wide receiver. After practicing on Friday without restriction, Jefferson was cleared to play on Sunday against Houston.

“He has done a good job of being present, engaged, and having ownership of the plan. He got great work in today, and I think he feels ready to roll,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said.

Jefferson practiced on a limited basis as a precaution on Wednesday and Thursday, when the 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year said the injured muscle “feels great” following the collision with San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner that sidelined him late in the third quarter last week.

“Just staying in the treatment room and making sure I feel fantastic on Sunday,” said Jefferson, who missed seven games last season with a severe hamstring strain.

Jefferson will play again without his top sidekick, Jordan Addison. The 2023 first-round draft pick, who hurt his ankle in the season opener at New York, was ruled out for the second straight game. On defense, starting linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (quadriceps, ankle) and backup outside linebacker Dallas Turner (knee) were also declared out. No other player received a status designation on the injury report released on Friday by the Vikings.

For the Texans, running back Joe Mixon (ankle) was listed as doubtful after being held out of practice all week following the injury that occurred in the previous game against Chicago. His backup, Dameon Pierce (hamstring), was ruled out for the second straight game. That should put Cam Akers, who played for the Vikings last year before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon tear, in the lead role in the backfield with Dare Ogunbowale next in line.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said he believes Mixon was injured by an illegal hip-drop tackle, a maneuver the NFL launched a crackdown on this year due to the prevalence of lower-leg injuries that have resulted. Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards was not penalized for the play during the game. O’Connell, coincidentally, noted that Addison was injured by the same type of tackle by Giants linebacker Darius Muasau. He was not penalized in the game but was later fined by the league.

Addison ought to have a good chance to play the following week at Green Bay, O’Connell said.