Viktor
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
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In 2014 during his first season as a head coach, he weathered the suspension of star running back Adrian Peterson.
Just before the start of the 2016 season, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury, after which the Vikings made a last-minute, blockbuster trade for Sam Bradford, who made his first start in Week 2 during Minnesota's inaugural game at U.S. Bank Stadium (unmentioned by Zimmer, but of note, Peterson suffered a torn meniscus in that game).
In November 2016, Norv Turner resigned as the Vikings offensive coordinator. That same month, Zimmer suffered a torn retina in his right eye and underwent multiple eye surgeries, including an emergency procedure that sidelined him for the Vikings Thursday Night Football game against Dallas on Dec. 1.
In 2017, Bradford battled a nagging, season-long injury. Although worth noting, of course, is that Case Keenum filled in admirably and helped lead Minnesota to the NFC Championship game. After a 2-2 start during which phenom Dalvin Cook was lost for the season, the Vikings rallied with eight wins in a row and 11 of 12 to finish the regular season.
In July of 2018, the Vikings mourned the tragic and sudden death of offensive line coach Tony Sparano, a longtime friend and colleague of Zimmer's.
That September, veteran defensive end Everson Griffen spent five weeks away from the team to work through a personal matter.