With the white eye bandage removed, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Wednesday he's simply "good to go" after his latest follow-up appointment with doctors to review his surgically-repaired right eye.

This came a day after Zimmer said there was "still a lot to be determined" with his recovery from a fourth operation last week to repair a detached retina. Zimmer declined to get into details, but did not appear concerned Wednesday when asked whether he'd need to take precautions on Sunday in Jacksonville, such as coaching from the booth.

"I don't know, the doctors talked to me about something," Zimmer said. "Let's talk about Jacksonville."

He didn't immediately persuade reporters, who were interviewing Zimmer for the first time since his emergency surgery last week. Zimmer fielded one more question about his eye, briefly addressing how it felt to miss the first game of his 23-year NFL coaching career.

"I really want to talk about Jacksonville," Zimmer said. "You put all the work in and the reason why you do these things is for game day, so that's the difficult part of not being able to be with the team that you're trying to prepare. I think Jacksonville is really good on defense."

So, they're on to Jacksonville.

Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune, Star Tribune
Mike Zimmer wiped his right eye with his sleeve as the Vikings practiced Wednesday at Winter Park.

Smith 'tough guy'

The Vikings are holding out hope that safety Harrison Smith's sprained left ankle isn't severe enough to end his season, but his chances of playing Sunday don't appear good.

Smith and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee), who hasn't played since the opener, were the only Vikings players held out of Wednesday's practice. Smith has been limited by an ankle sprain since the Nov. 20 loss in Arizona.

"I know Harrison Smith is a pretty tough guy and he plays all the time," Zimmer said. "When he's hurt, he plays. He always plays, so I don't care about reports. I just go by what happens in practice."

Smith, the Vikings' first Pro Bowl defensive back since Antoine Winfield, gutted through 51 of 52 snaps in last week's loss against the Cowboys, after which he needed crutches and a walking boot.

Treadwell vs. Moss

Social media sparks flew when retired Vikings receiver Randy Moss, an ESPN analyst, replied to a tweet asking the former star to help Vikings rookie Laquon Treadwell. Moss responded from his verified account: "tried tht already!"

"I'm willing to get helped by anybody," Treadwell said when asked if he'd heard from Moss. "I'm going to leave that comment wherever it is. I know the truth, so I mean, I don't got much to say about it."

Treadwell, the Vikings' top selection (23rd overall) in April's draft, has only one catch for 15 yards this season. He has played 80 snaps on offense, the second-fewest among Vikings receivers.

Treadwell said he still corresponds with former Vikings receiver Cris Carter, who he said he last spoke with a week ago at U.S. Bank Stadium before kickoff against the Cowboys.

Vikings nominate Greenway

For the third consecutive season and fourth of his 11-year career, linebacker Chad Greenway was nominated by the Vikings for this year's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

The annual award recognizes a player from each team for their volunteer and charitable work. The winner out of 32 nominations receives a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice.

Bradford feeling good

Quarterback Sam Bradford said his body is feeling "really good" after taking 29 sacks in 11 starts: "I do feel more comfortable out there than I probably have in the past, and I think that's just being healthy for two years in a row."