Thursday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys carries plenty of significance regarding the NFC playoff race. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they might have to come into this game without their head coach.
It was revealed Wednesday evening that Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer is set to have emergency eye surgery. This surgery could result in Zimmer missing the primetime showdown.
The team came out with this information via a release. Here’s what Vikings general manager Rick Spielman had to say.
“Mike Zimmer is having emergency eye surgery tonight,” Spielman said in a statement. “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.”
While news of the emergency surgery is shocking, it had been known that Zimmer was having issues with his eye. He said earlier this month that he tore his retina on Oct. 31. This was followed up by a Nov. 1 surgery. The injury came while Minnesota was in the midst of a losing streak and was parting ways with then-offensive coordinator Norv Turner. It also hampered Zimmer’s ability to watch film, per NFL.com.
At the time, Zimmer added that he was watching game film with one eye and was, at times, forced to wear reading glasses.
Following the Nov. 1 surgery, Zimmer was once again on the operating table on Nov. 8. Apparently this did not fix the problem.
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer had been scheduled to have a procedure on the eye Friday morning, per source. More significant than first two.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 1, 2016
Obviously, something happened to change that timeline. Has said he tore retina Oct. 31, surgery Nov. 1, then again a week later.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 1, 2016
If Zimmer is unable to go on Thursday, the Vikings can lean on assistants with head coaching experience. There’s offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and offensive line coach Tony Sporano. But while these guys have experience at the helm, Minnesota would be best off with having Zimmer leading the team. Especially in a game against the NFC’s top team and a game that could make or break the season.
[NFL.com]
