When the Vikings take the practice field in Mankato today, we could see that some of the team's training camp competitions have been settled. Coach Mike Zimmer said over the weekend that he and his staff hoped to use Sunday's off day to solidify some of the starting spots in question.

Will we get some clarity with the offensive line? Maybe at right tackle. But a retirement, an injury and a mysterious illness have made moot Zimmer's offseason mandate to create fierce competition along the line in training camp, and they have muddled the evaluation process for the Vikings, too.

Only a month ago, the Vikings had nine healthy offensive linemen on their roster who had started at least 16 games in the NFL. Now they have six.

Right tackle Phil Loadholt retired two weeks ago after the 30-year-old suffered yet another injury. The Vikings responded by moving last year's starter, T.J. Clemmings, back to right tackle to compete with Andre Smith.

The two have taken turns with the starters. But Smith is the favorite. And it would not be a surprise if the Vikings made the job officially his today.

At right guard, it seemed that Mike Harris, who re-signed in the offseason with a cheap one-year deal, would put up a fight against Brandon Fusco. But Harris, who started every game at right guard a season ago, remains on the non-football illness list due to an illness that Harris and the Vikings have every right to keep to themselves until Harris is ready to reveal it.

With Harris sidelined, the Vikings had no one to push Fusco, who is three years removed from his last quality season. And now Fusco is injured, though Zimmer said over the weekend that the injury was not a big deal.

His absence forced the Vikings to slide Joe Berger, who was in a dogfight with John Sullivan at center, over to right guard in the interim. And that means they can't currently evaluate Berger at center, where he played in 2015, though the Vikings obviously know what he brings to the table.

Perhaps it is possible the Vikings would consider keeping Berger at right guard to compete with Fusco if they feel comfortable with the health of Sullivan, who had two back surgeries in 2015 and missed the entire season. That could be something to watch for once Fusco returns to the field.

We know Berger is versatile. But unfortunately, the Vikings can't give him reps at center, right guard and right tackle at the same time. So we won't see much competition along the offensive line until Fusco and, hopefully, Harris are able to get back into the mix. Will it be too late at that point?

The Vikings want to pick a starting five sooner than later so the group can develop chemistry in time for Week 1. And, of course, they need to nail these big decisions. But in early August, their options have already dwindled.