The last time that Texans veteran offensive tackle Duane Brown played in a football game he was carted off the field with a major injury.

Now, Brown's comeback is complete from a torn quadriceps tendon suffered in last year's regular-season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. His surgically repaired leg held up fine all week and Brown is set to make his season debut Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Field.

"Yeah, I’m good to go Sunday," Brown said Friday. “It feels great. It’s been a long journey to get to this point. Very excited to get out there with my teammates and contribute. It’s a big test. I’m looking forward to it.”

It's possible Brown will share playing time with left tackle Chris Clark and be on something of a snap count against the Vikings' stout defense that includes defensive linemen Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph and outside linebacker Anthony Barr.

"Duane had a good week of practice," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "We have a plan going in for him and we will see how that goes.”

Brown is listed as questionable on the injury report and was limited in practice all week. Clark started the first four games of the season and now Brown is primed to make his return. The Texans will closely monitor Brown.

“I think we’ll just play it by ear," Brown said. "It will be my first game action. A lot of people have been through training camp, preseason and four games already. This being my first action, I have to just see how I feel and go from there.

"I think this week has been a good test, testing it out, testing my body out and how I feel going full speed against our defense. So far it feels good. I’m sure I’ll get out there and I’ll feel pretty good.”

For Brown, it's been a long road back from such a serious injury.

Brown is a three-time Pro Bowl blocker in his ninth NFL season who missed the entire offseason and preseason with the leg injury, diligently rehabbing to get back on the practice field last week. The Texans activated Brown from the physically unable to perform list Sept. 3 to ensure he wouldn't have to miss the first six games. Now, he's back for the fifth game of the regular season.

“It feels great, man," Brown said. "I love this game and I don’t take playing it for granted. To know I would be at this point back in January, I didn’t know when I was going to get to this point. Now that I’m here, I’m just elated. I’m looking forward to getting out there.

"There’s soreness, of course. Things that you’re going to have to deal with, but nothing that’s unbearable, nothing that’s hindering me from doing my job. That’s very relieving to have that.”