Mike Zimmer to miss Thursday’s game after eye surgery

After having emergency eye surgery, Mike Zimmer will not be coaching the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. 

To say Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is a must win for the Minnesota Vikings is an understatement. A loss would allow the Green Bay Packers a chance to win the NFC North and would allow the Detroit Lions to stay in first place. However, they will have to beat the Cowboys without their head coach, as Mike Zimmer won’t be coaching after emergency eye surgery. He had a detached retina fixed, according to Adam Schefter.

Replacing Zimmer as the Vikings temporary head coach will be special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Priefer has never been a head coach in the NFL, but he has been involved in coaching for at least the past decade. He joined the Vikings back in 2011 and is their longest tenured coordinator.

Priefer went to the Naval Academy and has a lot of experience as a coach. However, he will have his work cut out for him against a very good Cowboys team. Dallas has won 10 straight games after dropping their opening game to the New York Giants. They have one of the best offenses in the NFL.

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However, they also have a weak defense. It will be Priefer’s job to help the Vikings possibly take advantage of the Cowboys and their weak defense. That’s easier said than done, especially since Dallas has such a good offense. Minnesota hasn’t been good offensively, so Priefer’s hands will certainly be full. However, their defense has been very good, so maybe there’s a chance for the Vikings to win. Minnesota has lost five of their last six games following a five game winning streak to start the season.