Vikings notes: Kidney stone keeps Zimmer out of practice

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer missed Friday's practice because of an unscheduled minor medical procedure after experiencing pain from a kidney stone.

Zimmer will return Saturday morning, fly with the team to Buffalo and coach against the Bills on Sunday.

"He was uncomfortable and he wasn't feeling real good [Friday morning]," offensive coordinator Norv Turner said after practice. "I just talked to [head athletic trainer Eric] Sugarman and [Zimmer] is doing great and will be ready to go [Saturday] morning."

Turner was asked what was wrong with Zimmer when the team wouldn't provide details.

"Right now, nothing because he's gone through the procedure," Turner said.

Two sources confirmed the issue was a kidney stone.

Zimmer apparently was doing well enough for Turner to crack a joke when asked what he told the 2-4 team about Zimmer when he huddled them after Friday's practice.

Some players found out early Friday while they were in their position meetings. Others found out on the field before practice. Linebackers coach Adam Zimmer, Mike's son, told the linebackers before their meeting.

"You just have to take it in stride," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "You never know what's going to happen. Life comes up and happens. So we just have to deal with it. We just have to worry about what you have to do with your job and move forward. That's what he'd want us to do."

Asked if the practice field was strange without Zimmer, Greenway said, "Yeah. Strangely quiet."

Turner said Friday's practice went well without Zimmer.

"We met and talked through the stuff that we wanted to get done," Turner said. "The schedule is put together and everything. It was pretty much the way we run things. I thought we had outstanding energy in practice."

"It's going to be a deal where they continue to evaluate [Greenway]," Turner said. "It'll probably be a decision made Sunday morning."

Greenway has missed the past three games because of three broken ribs and a broken hand. The Vikings listed him as having full participation in practice all three days this week but are prepared to start third-stringer Audie Cole if necessary.

Greenway said he realized during the New Orleans game that he couldn't play with broken ribs. He and Zimmer talked about being more forthright about the severity of injuries.

"A sit-down with Zim is sort of a funny process," Greenway said of their meeting. "It's about a 10-second conversation where he just says what he needs to say and then you walk away and then just kind of accept it.

"But, yeah, obviously, I think after the New Orleans game, we made the right call. Obviously, it needed a few weeks and is progressing kind of how everybody thought it would. To me, it's the most frustrating injury that I've had. You just sit around and wait for it to take care of itself. We'll see how it goes. If there's a way, I promise I will be out there."

Zimmer didn't rule out making personnel changes on the offensive line this week. Apparently, that's not going to happen.

Asked if the same five guys will start Sunday in Buffalo, left guard Charlie Johnson said, "Yeah. That's how we've been practicing. So no changes."