Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is running out of patience with often-injured defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.

Floyd hasn’t played since the Sept. 11 opener at Tennessee, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Sept. 22, and Zimmer revealed he returned to the team Thursday after being gone for about 10 days. Zimmer was asked why Floyd hasn’t been placed on injured reserve.

“We didn’t think it would be this long, to be honest with you,” Zimmer said. “We didn’t think it was going to be, like, six years worth of hurt.” Related Articles The Loop Fantasy Football Report: Week 3

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Zimmer said Floyd was away from the team to rehab his knee, but the coach does not know when he might be able to return to practice. He didn’t say where Floyd had gone.

Also not practicing for the Vikings on Thursday were nose tackle Linval Joseph (shoulder) and cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn (ankle) and Marcus Sherels (ankle), although Munnerlyn was able to do some running on the side. Limited were receiver Laquon Treadwell (hamstring) and offensive lineman Zac Kerin (hand).

Sherels sat out Oct. 31 game at Chicago with a wrist injury before getting hurt again last Sunday against Detroit. If he can’t play Sunday at Washington, special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said he has confidence in wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen returning punts.

Floyd, a four-year veteran, was a starter the past two season but had injury problems. That included having arthroscopic surgery in October 2015 on his left knee.

The right knee has been an issue this year. Floyd was in for 25 plays in the opener but reinjured the knee.

In May, the Vikings picked up Floyd’s 2017 contract option for $6.757 million. It is guaranteed only in the event of injury, meaning Minnesota could waive him in March and have no further obligation if he is deemed healthy then.

For now, Zimmer was asked what Floyd needs to show him.

“He’s got to get on the field first,” Zimmer said.