DAVE CAMPBELL
AP Pro Football Writer
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer underwent a “minor” medical procedure on Friday, according to the team. His absence was only expected to last one day.
Vikings spokesman Bob Hagan said Zimmer will return to work on Saturday and travel for the game at Buffalo on Sunday. The team did not divulge details about Zimmer’s condition or the precise nature of the operation, but offensive coordinator Norv Turner said Zimmer was “doing great” after the unplanned procedure.
Turner’s update came from trainer Eric Sugarman, who spoke with the 58-year-old coach. Turner supervised practice instead. He said Zimmer was at Winter Park in the morning, and they discussed the schedule for the day before he left.
“He was uncomfortable and he wasn’t feeling real good,” Turner said.
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said players were told Zimmer went to a hospital. All signs in the afternoon, though, were that the situation wasn’t serious. Turner even joked about teasing the players about putting too much stress on Zimmer in his first season as a head coach, starting 2-4.
“I told them six weeks with them and look what they’re doing to the guy,” Turner said. “So let’s go play better and win, right?”
Asked what was wrong with Zimmer specifically, Turner said, “Right now, nothing, because he’s gone through the procedure.”
The health of coaches in this high-pressure league has come more under scrutiny lately, with Denver’s John Fox and Houston’s Gary Kubiak both needing medical leaves from their jobs last fall. Zimmer, who spent 20 years as an assistant in the NFL, has said he’s slept at his office several times in recent weeks. He hasn’t hidden any agitation with his team’s performance, either.
“Coach Zim, he’d love to be here. He’s always here,” Munnerlyn said. “At the same time, your health and your life is more important than this game of football. We know that. We’re just praying for him, hope he gets better and he’ll be back with us soon.”
Linebacker Chad Greenway said practice without Zimmer was “strangely quiet.”
As for Greenway’s status, he was listed as questionable to play against the Bills. Greenway has been held out the last three games because of broken ribs, but he has fully participated in practice all week.
“If there’s a way, I will promise I’ll be out there,” Greenway said.
His backup, Gerald Hodges, was declared out for Sunday because of a hamstring injury suffered last week in the loss to Detroit. Audie Cole would be the next in line to start if Greenway is out again.
Also listed as questionable for the game was defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, who hurt his ankle in practice this week. Floyd said he feels fine. Backup defensive end Corey Wootton was declared out because of an injury to his lower back.
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