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SAN FRANCISCO -- Brett Favre's preseason debut lasted all of four snaps.
And that was enough time for him to take one big hit.
Favre completed his only throw, a swing pass Adrian Peterson turned into a 13-yard gain on the Minnesota Vikings' first play from scrimmage. But a zone-left run to Peterson lost 3 yards on the next play, setting up second-and-13 and a five-man, inside pressure by the San Francisco 49ers out of their 3-4 front.
"We technically could have picked it up," Favre said. "I could have made the call, but the mind wasn't working quick enough."
Two rushers came through the middle as Favre backpedaled. Peterson tried to block All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, who shed the block easily and planted Favre into the ground for a 10-yard loss.
"That was my fault," Peterson said. "I stepped up in the A-gap and I got out-tempoed."
Favre handed off to Albert Young on the next play, and that was it for the Vikings' 40-year-old quarterback, whom Childress had estimated would play about 10 snaps.
"I would have liked another series, but I didn't argue," Favre said. "I understand the situation, especially considering how good their defense is. I'm not going to get away from anybody like (rookie quarterback) Joe Webb, that's for sure."
It was almost an instant replay of Favre's preseason debut last year, when he took a big hit on his third snap against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Metrodome. Favre got a second series in that game, though -- and took another big shot before he left the game for good.
"That's (the 49ers') game," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "They're going to cross-dog you and bring those outside linebackers. That's kind of what they do best."
This hit appeared to leave Favre no worse for wear. He was smiling and joking on the sideline shortly after with Webb.
"I would hate for that to happen the first game in real action against New Orleans, and it very well may be, because that's the type of defense they play," Favre said. "We have to see those types of things now and get better from them."
Childress said Favre was coming out either way because coaches wanted to see backup Tarvaris Jackson behind the No. 1 offensive line.
Jackson led the Vikings to a field goal on the second series and finished 7-of-11 passing for 43 yards. Sage Rosenfels took over after halftime, failed to get a first down in three drives and gave way to Webb, who made the play of the day -- scrambling for a 48-yard touchdown that pulled the Vikings within three in the closing minutes.
"He reminds me a lot of myself (except) I couldn't run like that," Favre said of Webb, who led a touchdown drive for the second time in as many preseason games.
"If you're not really sure where all the guys are going to be, make something happen, and that's what he did."
