To keep a true fullback on the final 53-man roster or to not keep a true fullback on the final 53-man roster. That seems to be a question of late.

Psst. Lean toward keeping a true fullback.

Yes, the Vikings have tight ends who could handle the job in similar fashion, especially if Rhett Ellison keeps his spot on the team.

But basic logic suggests the Vikings didn't keep two fullbacks on the roster all last year so they could dump Zach Line before the 2015 season. They liked the guy so much that they carried him on the active roster when more than one team put in claims that prevented the Vikings from moving him to the practice squad. They liked him so much that they let a currently better, but much more expensive and older fullback (Jerome Felton) walk away in the offseason.

Yes, coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in camp that it's not essential the team keeps a true fullback on the 53-man roster. But the full context of the question and answer indicated to this observer that the intent of Zimmer's answer was to simply to make it clear that Line would "have to earn his position, like everybody else." And Line does appear to be a worker bee in practice.

Monday, offensive coordinator Norv Turner made his feelings known about Line's role with the team.

"Zach Line is a very good football player," Turner said. "He's a very versatile football player. He can play fullback, he can play halfback, he can play on special teams. He's having an outstanding training camp so I see him as a valuable part of our offense."