MANKATO, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer had said the team might make a few alterations to its first-team offense and defense once the Vikings returned Friday from their first day off of training camp.

The fact that Mike Harris was still the starting right guard during Friday's walk-through would suggest the Vikings are going to give him more than a cursory look at the position.

Harris said last week coaches told him after minicamp he'd get a chance to win the right guard spot. He played 53 snaps there once Vlad Ducasse got hurt in Buffalo, and his history with Norv Turner -- dating back to both men's time with the San Diego Chargers -- might help him beat out a pair of young players.

"In my thoughts, he's looked surprisingly good in there," Turner said. "It's tough for a guy of his size (6-foot-5), his length, sometimes, to go in there. But he's getting tested. He's going against good players; we've got good tackles. And I think he's doing well. He's gradually getting his pad level down. You can't play too high in there, because you're going to play against big guys all the time."

Harris never worked at guard while Turner was the Chargers' head coach, because "we didn't have that need," Turner said. But as the Vikings transition Tyrus Thompson to guard and try to develop David Yankey in his second season, Harris might be their best bet for now, especially if they want Joe Berger available in case of injuries at one of the other interior spots.

"We have a plan there," Turner said. "We're going to continue to look at the things that are best for us."