AP

One of the reasons for increased expectations for the Vikings this season is the return of running back Adrian Peterson to the lineup, but the first outing for both player and team fell quite short of reaching them.

The Vikings lost 20-3 to the 49ers largely because the 49ers were able to run the ball more effectively. They piled up 230 yards on the ground and held onto the ball for more than 33 minutes, allowing them to control the pace of the game while holding Peterson to 31 yards on 10 carries.

“It felt good to get out there, play some football, take some hits,” Peterson said, via ESPN.com. “But [it was] definitely embarrassing to perform the way we did.”

Coach Mike Zimmer said that he thought Peterson looked “all right,” but that there weren’t a lot of holes in the 49ers to run through during the game.

The Vikings also completed three passes to Peterson for 21 yards, which fits with what they said this offseason about using him more often in the passing game, but the outing wasn’t the one that anyone in Minnesota was hoping for from Peterson’s return to the team.