Mike Zimmer Eye Surgery: Is He Coaching the Vikings Thursday?

mike zimmer eye surgery is he coaching status vikings cowboys game thursday

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. (Getty)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will miss Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys after undergoing emergency eye surgery for a detached retina Wednesday night.

Zimmer had been dealing with a torn retina since late October. He had surgery for the problem in early November.

Zimmer will be replaced by special teams coach Mike Priefer for the showdown with the 10-1 Cowboys.

Vikings General Manager released a statement about 9:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday night regarding the situation:

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.

The Vikings and Cowboys meet on Thursday Night Football at 8:25 p.m. ET from Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium. The game will be televised by NBC and NFL Network.