Emergency eye surgery to repair a detached retina only kept Mike Zimmer out of action for one week, as the Minnesota Vikings head coach is expected to resume his role on the sideline for a Week 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to NFL.com.
Mike Zimmer expected to travel with team and return to the sidelines in Week 14
There was a possibility doctors wouldn’t clear Mike Zimmer to fly to Jacksonville, but the Vikings say he’s good to go.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The possibility was raised that Zimmer wouldn’t be cleared to fly to the game in Jacksonville, Fla. due to the air pressure of a high-altitude flight. There was reportedly a plan in place for the Vikings to drive Zimmer more than 1,400 miles to Jacksonville. However, the team announced Monday that Zimmer is expected to travel with the team.
“Mike Zimmer has returned to his coaching duties and is expected to travel with the team to Jacksonville for this weekend’s game,” Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said in a brief statement released Monday.
Zimmer had the surgery Wednesday night, one day before a Thursday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the timing of the procedure, Zimmer apparently still tried to get back to coaching.
“We felt this was for the best interest of his health,” Spielman said on a conference call Thursday. “I expressed to him specifically that not going blind in one eye is more important than one game in the NFL.”
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer filled in for Zimmer on the sideline, but the Vikings lost, 17-15. It was the sixth loss in seven weeks for the Vikings after starting the season 5-0.
In a crowded NFC field, the Vikings aren’t yet out of contention. But to make the playoffs, Minnesota would need to finish the season with at least three wins and get help.
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