Prompts winter weather advisories as cold air moves in Friday night

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

 Wednesday night will keep him out of Thursday's NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys.

 
"We are taking it one day at a time. We want to get through tonight's game and then tomorrow we will reassess where we're at," Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman said in a statement Thursday morning.

 
Zimmer reportedly suffered a scratch to one eye during a game against the Chicago Bears on Halloween and underwent surgery for a torn retina the next day. The 60-year-old head coach missed a post-game press conference but was back on the field for a game against the Lions the next weekend.

"Last night, I did meet with all the coaches, I met with the players at the team meeting, so everybody understands the situation," Spielman told reporters. "They're ready and prepared because Coach Zimmer coached them all week. "


The team is closely watching Zimmer's recovery, he added. 

 
Spielman also said Mike Priefer, the Vikings' special teams coordinator, will fill in as interim head coach in Zimmer's absence.

 
In 2014, the team disciplined Priefer after investigating allegations by then-punter Chris Kluwe that Priefer had made anti-gay slurs and taunts.

Sports

MPR News Staff

Author

The team is taking a day-by-day approach following Head Coach Mike Zimmer's emergency eye surgery Wednesday night, the team said. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will coach Thursday night's game against Dallas.

Vikings: Zimmer won't coach Thursday game

Go Deeper.

Like this?