STANFORD — Defensive end Henry Anderson will play Thursday against No. 2 Oregon, buttressing Stanford’s depleted line in time to face one of the nation’s most potent offenses.

Anderson’s return from a mid-September knee injury comes one game after Stanford’s other starting end, Ben Gardner, was lost for the remainder of the season.

Without Anderson and Gardner, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle at Oregon State, the Cardinal would have been at a significant disadvantage against Oregon, which averages 632.1 yards and 55.6 points per game.

Josh Mauro, who started for Anderson during his six-game absence, will move to the other side and fill Gardner’s spot. David Parry will continue to start at nose tackle.

While Anderson’s knee is structurally sound, his conditioning is in question.

“I don’t know if he can go 65 or 70 plays,” coach David Shaw said Monday. “Josh and David will have to give us everything they’ve got for as many plays as they can go.”

Shaw also said receiver Devon Cajuste (knee) is expected to play and kicker Jordan Williamson (leg) could be available for field goals and extra points.

A final determination on Williamson’s availability will be made later in the week.

Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota extended his lead in USA Today’s latest Heisman Trophy poll and is expected to remain on top of the well-regarded HeismanPundit.com straw poll. The 6-foot-4 sophomore with a big arm and long stride has accounted for 29 touchdowns (running and passing) without an interception. “The closest guy I’ve seen to him is Colin Kaepernick,” Shaw said.