Adrian Peterson gets standing ovation in Vikings' home opener

ByBEN GOESSLING
September 20, 2015, 1:32 PM

— -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Playing his first game in front of Minnesota Vikings fans in more than 21 months, Adrian Peterson looked much closer to his typical form than he did six days ago.

Peterson carried the ball on the Vikings' first three plays, on his way to 16 carries for 70 yards in the first half against the Detroit Lions. And while he missed a block in front of Teddy Bridgewater in the second quarter, Peterson was there as the quarterback flipped him the ball as defenders converged on him and raced 49 yards before he was hauled down.

All told, Peterson wound up with 119 rushing and receiving yards in the first half, helping the Vikings take a 17-10 lead.

Peterson, playing his first home game since Dec. 1, 2013, received a standing ovation when he was the last Vikings offensive starter announced before the game. It was his first game at TCF Bank Stadium, and came 53 weeks after he was deactivated for the Vikings' 2014 home opener following his indictment on child injury charges Sept. 12, 2014.

He appeared to score his first touchdown since Nov. 24, 2013, as he bulled into the end zone on a carry with Bridgewater under center, but a review overturned the play. Before and after the review, though, fans at TCF Bank Stadium chanted, "AP! AP!" for the running back, who missed 15 games last year.

For the half, Peterson got eight carries for 42 yards with Bridgewater under center, and eight for 28 yards in the shotgun or pistol.

Peterson got a shotgun carry on the Vikings' first play of the second half, though, and fumbled from the Lions' 11, costing Minnesota a scoring chance.

The 30-year-old running back, whose first game back with the Vikings came Monday night in San Francisco, carried just 10 times for 31 yards against the 49ers. He admitted after the game he was still somewhat uncomfortable getting the ball in the shotgun, where the Vikings spent roughly two-thirds of their snaps after Bridgewater took over as the starter last season.

Peterson's first four carries on Sunday came with Bridgewater under center, and he gained 38 yards on them.