Zimmer Expected Back Quickly After Kidney Stone Surgery
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO/AP) — Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has undergone a minor procedure, but he is expected back quickly.
Sources told WCCO's Mike Max that Zimmer underwent surgery for a kidney stone.
Zimmer will return on Friday, sources told WCCO, and is expected to travel for the game at Buffalo on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Norv Turner supervised practice Friday and said Zimmer was "doing great" after the procedure.
The 58-year-old Zimmer is in his first season as a head coach, after 20 years as an assistant in the NFL.
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?"
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.
