Report: Vikings' Zimmer could return next week

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was forced to miss the team's game on Thursday after undergoing emergency eye surgery, but it appears as if he may not be away from the sidelines for very long.

Zimmer's health is apparently on the mend, and he could be ready to return to the team for the next game, according to a report by Ben Goessling of ESPN.

After undergoing emergency surgery for a detached retina Wednesday night, Zimmer was absent for the Vikings' 17-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. He also underwent a second operation to the eye on Friday.

Minnesota travels to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars on Dec. 10, though Zimmer may need to find his own way there. Because of the surgery, Zimmer may not be able to fly, so the team has a contingency plan in place to drive him to Florida should he be unable to travel by airplane.