The Metrodome is on the injury report this week and is OUT for Monday night. The Minnesota Vikings will instead be hosting the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, which until late this week was buried in feet of snow. After 'round the clock hard work, which included numerous volunteers and their shovels, the stadium is expected to be ready to host the big event. The plan is to cover the field with a tarp and place heaters underneath it to maintain the field until game time. Tune in Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) to see how many brave the elements.

Beyond the playing surfaces in question, which players might have you concerned heading into Week 15? Perhaps some of the ones below.

Quarterbacks

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs, (Q): Cassel missed Week 14 while recovering from a laparoscopic appendectomy performed earlier in the week. No one could argue with the decision to hold him out of competition just four days after surgery, but after the team's last underwhelming outing, fantasy owners and Chiefs fans everywhere are crossing their fingers and hoping Cassel will return this week. He did practice on a limited basis each day, doing progressively more as the week went on. Still, Cassel's availability will be a game-day decision by the medical team. Fortunately for fantasy owners, this is an early game. It appears Cassel will play but check pregame inactives to be sure.

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos, (Q): Orton is sore: sore ribs, sore shoulder, just plain sore. So sore apparently that he was restricted in practice every day this week, with Tim Tebow taking most of the first-team reps. Will Tebow start in place of Orton? There seems to be some speculation to that effect in Denver. Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post suggests that Orton not throwing for three consecutive days points to a likely Tebow start. Interim coach Eric Studesville has not officially committed to a starter and told the Post on Thursday that Orton's experience would allow him to play without physically practicing because, "mental reps are an option that works." This is a late game and fantasy owners may not want to take a chance on a quarterback who may not play much, if at all.

David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars, (Q): Garrard has a hamstring injury that cropped up Thursday and while the sense is that he will play, the Florida Times-Union notes that the Jaguars signed Todd Bouman on Friday. The move suggests the team is concerned enough about Garrard's hamstring to provide additional insurance. Just how much it would limit him is unclear and may well be a function of how the game plays out.

Running backs

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars, (Q): When Jones-Drew did not practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, fantasy owners became understandably nervous. He was back in limited practice Friday, however, and while he's listed as questionable he is expected to play. The Jaguars no doubt expect to run against the Indianapolis Colts, so the rest for Jones-Drew early in the week was probably a worthwhile investment.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, (?): Peterson never really seemed in danger of missing this week but after a rough outing in Week 14, people are wondering what to expect from him. Between the unfamiliar outdoor venue and Peterson's bruises, there is some apprehension about his status. Peterson is still listed on the injury report because of his sprained ankle, along with a knee ailment. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, coach Leslie Frazier says the most significant problem for Peterson is the thigh bruise he suffered after colliding with Tarvaris Jackson in Monday night's game. With this week's game not coming until Monday it made sense to hold Peterson out of practice Thursday and Friday. After all, the Vikings don't need Peterson's thigh to tighten up in what will already be freezing temperatures Monday night. The team's official status designations will come out late Saturday.

Arian Foster, Houston Texans, (P): Foster had a hip injury that limited him Thursday and Friday but it didn't seem to be of great concern. Foster's probable tag tells us that the team is confident he'll be on the field Sunday.

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins, (Q): Torain continues to be listed as questionable despite the fact he fully practiced all week. There were questions leading into last week's game as to how much coach Mike Shanahan would lean on Torain in his return from a hamstring injury, but the running back had a big game. He showed he was back in business and it makes sense that the team could turn to him again.

Chris Ivory, New Orleans Saints, (Q): Ivory injured his hamstring last week and has been out of the bulk of practice this past week as a result. Ivory received a platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) injection and rested, as is typical, in the days following the procedure. Ivory had indicated earlier in the week that he would not play if his leg wasn't ready to go and it's looking as if that will be the case. The decision may well come down to game time but if Ivory sits out this week, it could mean an increase in work for the recently returned Pierre Thomas. Of course that work would come against the Baltimore Ravens. Thomas is off the injury report for the first time since Week 3.

Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys, (Q): Barber has been making progress in his recovery from a calf strain, putting in limited practice daily. Coach Jason Garrett was noncommittal about Barber's status but told the Dallas Morning News that Barber looked better this week than last. "He seems to be progressing," said Garrett, adding, "We'll just evaluate it as the time goes. Now, it's Felix [Jones] and Tashard [Choice] who are healthy. We expect them to go in both the run and the pass game." An active Barber could most notably affect Choice's touches, so fantasy owners may want to check pregame inactives.

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Addai's status really has not changed; he's still doing very limited work in practice. Addai already told ESPN's Bob Holtzman that he would not be playing this week. Teammate Mike Hart is still not practicing with an ankle injury and is not expected to play, either.

Wide receivers

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, (Q): Jackson did not officially practice until Friday but was confident about his status. If you're listening to Jackson, then you know he's already telling you he's playing. Jackson doesn't seem to think a sprained foot will get in the way of his contributing to this week's important matchup against the New York Giants. And he's not giving up the celebrations, either.

Mario Manningham, New York Giants, (P): Last week, Steve Smith returned from a pectoral injury only to leave the game with a season-ending knee injury. Hakeem Nicks played his first game since undergoing a fasciotomy and emerged with only some soreness, maybe even better than expected. Manningham was the only receiver to enter the game healthy but he left early with a hip injury. Luckily for the Giants, it was not especially serious and Manningham was able to return to limited practice Thursday and Friday. Manningham is expected to play in the big divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Terrell Owens, Cincinnati Bengals, (Q): Owens did not practice Wednesday, did a little work Thursday and then sat out again Friday with a sore knee. It certainly gives cause for concern as to whether Owens will be game-ready on Sunday. With teammate Chad Ochocinco working through bone spurs in his ankle (he's listed as probable and will play), the Bengals' top two receivers are both compromised. Coach Marvin Lewis indicated that Owens will play Sunday but how well he performs is a different matter.

Mike Williams and Ben Obomanu, Seattle Seahawks, (P): A week after both receivers were forced to sit out with injury, the Seahawks expect to have them both back in the lineup. Williams, recovering from a foot and ankle injury, practiced fully Friday and is ready to go. Obomanu, who had stitches in his hand from a deep laceration, is functioning better this week, practicing fully every day.

Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Collie put in full practice every day this week, making it more likely that he gets on the field Sunday. Collie has been recovering from lingering concussion symptoms and has been doing limited work in recent weeks. This is the first week he has practiced fully with the team each day and on Thursday coach Jim Caldwell hinted at Collie's return to the lineup. For fantasy owners who have been waiting to insert him back into the lineup, now is the time.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys, (Q): Williams injured his groin in Wednesday's practice and sat out Thursday. The Dallas Morning News reported Williams rejoined his teammates Friday morning but the official NFL injury report listed Williams as a nonparticipant. Williams' status will come down to game time but his limited work toward the end of the week hints at his not being fully healthy.

Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (P): Williams played last week with his sore knee and is expected to do so again after practicing every day.

Deion Branch, New England Patriots, (P): Branch got some rest for his sore knee with lighter practice this week but you can expect him to be on the field Sunday when the Patriots host the Green Bay Packers.

Andre Johnson, Houston Texans, (P): Nothing new here. Anyone who saw Johnson's catch (and footwork!) in the end zone Monday night knows the rest during the week is only helping him on game day.

Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens, (P): When Mason was absent from practice Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury it gave some fantasy owners a scare, but Mason was back in full force Friday. Mason has already confirmed that he's playing and the probable tag would support that.

Tight ends

Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders, (P): This is the first week in a long time in which Miller has practiced fully each day. Miller had his most productive performance in weeks last Sunday and the Raiders are hoping he can deliver more consistently now. It does appear his foot is indeed improving and Miller is expected to play this weekend against the Denver Broncos.

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Q): Early in the week Miller looked almost certain to miss another game as he recovers from a concussion. But Miller, who experienced a setback with an exercise-induced headache Thursday, was listed as a full participant Friday and is not ruled out for Sunday. This is a late game and there is still the potential for Miller to sit, so fantasy owners should plan accordingly.

Jacob Tamme, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Tamme is expected to play, despite the questionable tag. He has practiced in full every day and appears to be in better shape this week than last.

Owen Daniels, Houston Texans, (P): Daniels had perhaps his best game Monday night and looked strong in his return from a hamstring injury. Despite still being listed on the injury report, Daniels has practiced fully all week and is expected to play against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Out: This space is intended for a list of key fantasy players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers has been recovering from his second concussion of the season and nothing in the official team reports suggested he would be starting against the New England Patriots on Sunday. In other words the decision to rule him out does not come as a complete surprise. But coach Mike McCarthy did keep everyone guessing into Saturday morning when Rodgers was scheduled to be evaluated by the team's medical staff. As the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports, Rodgers was not cleared to play by team doctors. Rodgers did not practice all week and spent the early part of the week primarily resting. He did return for meetings Friday, however, and attended (watched) a significant portion of practice. Matt Flynn took all the snaps with the first team in practice throughout the week and will now get his first NFL start Sunday. The Journal-Sentinel reports that Rodgers is expected to travel with the team to New England, probably to be available to Flynn as a mentor on the sideline, but this does show that Rodgers is feeling well enough to travel. Since the Packers had only two active quarterbacks on their roster -- Rodgers and Flynn -- the team signed Graham Harrell to the 53-man roster so he can serve as Flynn's backup.

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings: Favre is still dealing with multiple injuries, most notably the numbness in his hand associated with a pinched nerve in his neck. No one expected Favre to start Monday night but now he is officially out. There is some curiosity as to his status moving forward for the remainder of the season. Tarvaris Jackson has been placed on injured reserve because of a toe injury. Joe Webb, who has been nursing a hamstring injury of his own, is going to start at the Vikings' outdoor "home" Monday night game after practicing with the first team all week. Welcome to the NFL, Joe!

Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore Ravens: Heap remains out with a hamstring injury and Ed Dickson is expected to start again in his place.

See you at the injury chats (Tuesday and Friday 3-4 p.m.). Be sure to check out "Fantasy Football Now" on Sunday on ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more!