Mike Zimmer, six days removed from emergency eye surgery and four days after a follow-up procedure, was back coaching the Vikings today as players reported back to Winter Park after getting the weekend off.

As the Vikings practiced indoors this morning, Zimmer wore a white eyepatch over his right eye as he watched his team go through individual drills with his left eye. His vision in his good eye was good enough for him to bark instructions to wideout Stefon Diggs from about 50 yards away.


Zimmer will not speak with reporters until tomorrow morning. It will be the first time since surgery to repair a detached retina last Wednesday.

Zimmer wasn't the only one returning to practice. Center Joe Berger, who missed last week's loss to the Cowboys due to a concussion, was back at practice, so were cornerbacks Marcus Sherels and Mackensie Alexander.

Meanwhile, Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith, who last Thursday left U.S. Bank Stadium on crutches, was not spotted at practice. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and linebacker Edmond Robinson also sat out the practice.