Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has revealed that he was happy with his limited contribution to his side's 34-14 pre-season loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Peterson was appearing in his first pre-season match for two years after struggling with injuries in the past couple of warm-up campaigns, and coach Leslie Frazier was clearly keen to protect his star asset as he didn't touch the ball in two snaps of action.

However, the reigning NFL MVP insists that merely being out on the pitch helps him as he aims to return to full fitness in time for the Vikings' opening match of the regular season against the Detroit Lions on September 8.

"It was definitely limited but I felt like it was kind of effective getting the play-action in," Peterson told the Associated Press.

"It is all about keeping your body in shape, doing the necessary things, just making sure your body is ready to roll."

Peterson will go into the new season looking to become the first player to record 2,000 rushing yards in consecutive campaigns.