MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings will be missing one of their offensive weapons and two main pieces on defense when they host the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon.
Receiver Jordan Addison will miss the second consecutive week, while linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner have also been ruled out, leaving the Vikings shorthanded as they go up against the undefeated Texans.
Addison has been dealing with an ankle injury he sustained in the opening week against the New York Giants. He was held out of practice all week, but Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said he should have "a good chance" to go next weekend against the Green Bay Packers.
Receiver Jailen Nailor has filled in admirably through the first two weeks, catching touchdown passes in both games as Minnesota remains unbeaten entering Sunday's contest.
Pace was limited throughout the week because of a quad injury, but Connell said he also injured his ankle on Thursday, which led to him missing practice on Friday.
"As much as I know he wants to try to go, we've got to be smart and try to keep him in a good spot where hopefully he'll be day-to-day next week," O'Connell said.
Turner left last week's game against the San Francisco 49ers with a knee injury and was held out of practice all week.
The Vikings will have Justin Jefferson after he injured his quad in last week's game against the 49ers. The star receiver was a full participant in practice on Friday and is active for Sunday.
The Texans will also be dealing with their own injuries as they will be without their top two running backs in Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce. Mixon injured his ankle on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears and did not practice all week, while Pierce is dealing with a hamstring injury.
The injuries will likely mean former Vikings running back Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale will get the majority of the carries. Akers has carried the ball seven times for 32 yards this season, while Ogunbowale has just three yards on a pair of carries.
