Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer to undergo emergency eye surgery

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is having emergency eye surgery to repair a torn retina, the team confirmed on Wednesday night. He is uncertain to be available for the Vikings’ Thursday Night Football matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

General manager Rick Spielman released a statement on Zimmer’s condition:

Mike Zimmer is having emergency eye surgery tonight. His status for coaching tomorrow’s game is uncertain. I have met with the coaches and players and we have a contingency plan in place if Mike is unable to coach against Dallas.

There’s no word on who the replacement head coach would be should Zimmer miss the game, but Spielman scheduled a Thursday morning press conference where he’ll presumably give more details.

Zimmer had surgery on his eye earlier in the year for the same retinal issue, revealing that he watched film with one eye and didn’t miss a day of work. Unfortunately, the eye didn’t get any better and Zimmer is now scheduled for a second procedure to repair it. A torn retina can lead to blindness if not treated properly.

The Vikings are 6-5 and fighting for their playoff lives after squandering a 5-0 start to the season. Not having their coach on the sidelines could be a big blow as they prepare to face the Cowboys, who have won 10 straight games. But at the moment, Zimmer’s health is the main concern. Hopefully he can make a full recovery and return to work soon.