The head coach of the Minnesota Vikings has been given the thumbs up by his doctor to travel on a plane to the team’s upcoming training camp.
“I would just say Coach Zimmer is very hard-headed in a lot of things. And sometimes, just like with these players, you have to make sure your health comes first.” That was a response made by Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman back in May when asked about how happy Mike Zimmer was to be away during the team’s early OTA practices.
After the Vikings’ head coach was forced to miss a game in 2016 due to emergency eye surgery, the team knew it had to place an emphasis on Zimmer’s health this offseason. No matter how stubborn he would be about it.
The coach missing a game was one of the team’s many hiccups last year, but it may have been one of the most impactful.
Following a handful of surgeries on his eye, it finally seems like progress is being made for Zimmer’s current health status heading into the 2017 season. On Sunday, it was reported by the Pioneer Press’ Brian Murphy that Minnesota’s head coach has been cleared by his doctor to fly back to the state when the team begins their training camp at the end of the month.
#Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has been medically cleared to fly back to Minnesota from off-season home in Kentucky for training camp
— Brian Murphy (@murphmedia_) July 16, 2017
This is a very good sign for Zimmer and the Vikings. Getting cleared to fly was one of the final steps of the coach’s recovery process and it happening just means that his eye is close to being fully healed.
Zimmer’s health is now one less thing Minnesota has to worry about before they begin their quest to get back to the playoffs this season. If the Vikings fail to get back the postseason again this year, the team could unfortunately have to begin thinking about looking for a new head coach.
Next: Mike Zimmer has a message for Michael Floyd
However, Minnesota was still able to finish 2016 with an 8-8 record despite all that happened off the field last season. A year with less distractions seems likely for the franchise this year.
But then again, this is the Vikings we are talking about.