Minnesota Vikings

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer may return in Week 14

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mike Zimmer missed last Thursday night’s game after emergency eye surgery, but he may be back on the sideline for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14.

The Minnesota Vikings have been ravaged by injuries this season, and head coach Mike Zimmer was added to the list of those that have missed a game after emergency surgery to repair a detached retina last Wednesday night. Zimmer of course missed last Thursday night’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but he may make a quick return.

According to ESPN’s Ben Goessling, Zimmer underwent his fourth eye surgery in just over a month on Friday. But there’s hope Zimmer will return to work in the coming days, and be able to coach in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

During the broadcast of last Thursday night’s game, NBC sideline reporter Heather Cox suggested accommodations could be made to get Zimmer to Jacksonville for the game on Dec. 11. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has backed that up.

The #Vikings have a plan to drive coach Mike Zimmer (eye) to their game vs. #Jaguars on 12/11. But… they think he’ll be able to fly.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2016

All indications are that rest is the best thing for what Zimmer is dealing with, or he may risk losing vision completely in his eye otherwise. But that time off doesn’t appear to be on anyone’s agenda right now, and Zimmer would obviously not be the first coach to risk his long-term health in dedication to his job.

The Vikings are clinging to playoff chances at 6-6, and they may need to win out to avoid a dismal finish after a 5-0 start. Zimmer surely wants to get back to help the team as soon as possible, which is not wrong on the surface. But the wisdom of missing just one game, and risking losing vision in one eye, can be questioned. Let’s hope a voice of reason emerges from somewhere in the Vikings’ organization, and Zimmer is not chauffeured to Florida for next Sunday’s game.