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Vikings' Zimmer won't coach vs. Cowboys after eye surgery

Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings announced head coach Mike Zimmer won't coach the team Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys after undergoing emergency eye surgery Wednesday.

Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will fill in as interim head coach. He was selected to allow offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and defensive coordinator George Edwards to focus on their play-calling responsibilities, general manager Rick Spielman said.

"We are taking it one day at a time. We want to get through tonight's game and then tomorrow we will reassess where we're at," Spielman said of the decision.

Zimmer's surgery was to repair a detached retina. His vision worsened Wednesday afternoon and it was determined that an emergency procedure was required.

It's the third surgical procedure the 60-year-old underwent on his eye in November. He didn't miss any previous games.

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