On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that DE Everson Griffen would return to the team. Griffen, 30, was away from the team dealing with mental health issues. The three-time Pro-Bowler last played in Week 2 against the Packers.
Back in September, Griffen was involved in a series of strange incidents, which led him to step away from the team to deal with his mental health.
Today, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer discussed the return of Griffen.
Q: Are you foreseeing that Everson Griffen plays this week?
A: I don’t know. We are just going to see how he comes back. Really, that’s not the focus right now. The focus is just seeing how he’s doing, work him in a little bit and then we’ll decide at the end of the week.
Q: How does he look physically?
A: Good. He’s been working out.
Q: How do you go about the team’s plan to integrate him into team activities?
A: We have a plan as far as what we are going to give him today and tomorrow and all the things he has to do.
Q: Are you saying he will practice today?
A: Yes.
Q: Does his return give the team him a little bit of a lift knowing that he is back and how they care for him?
A: Well they really care for him and they like him. They are glad he is doing much better. He came in and saw me yesterday and he was in good spirits. I haven’t seen him around the rest of the players other than meetings and there’s not much talking going on there.
Q: Was that the first time you’ve seen or talked to him in about a month?
A: Yes.
Q: Can you share any details about how it went?
A: No, I can’t share any details. Just a normal talk.
Q: What does it mean to see everything he’s tried to work through to this point?
A: He’s done a lot of work. We’ve been in contact with the doctor constantly and talking to him about the things that he’s done and accomplished while he’s been there, things he has to do in the future and all that. It’s good.
Q: Is there a chance he can play this week?
A: I don’t know. I haven’t’ seen him in a month.
Q: What kind of support have you received in learning how to work through this and support Everson in the way that he needs?
A: I don’t want to get into too much but I bet you there is people in this room that have had to deal with these kind of issues as well. Everybody in life has probably had to deal with some kind of these different types of issues that go on and aren’t necessarily hamstrings. I know people that I have dealt with in the past. I know people, the doctors, the medical experts, they all help with these situations. I don’t think this is as unique as what we are making it out to be. This is an illness and he’s done a good job of helping to get better and continues to try to get better. He’s probably going to have to continue to do that. Just like we all have to do in life. We all have to try to improve and work on the things we’re working on and getting better at.
