MINNEAPOLIS -- Bryant McKinnie must play catch-up for the rest of the season.

The Minnesota Vikings' rookie, though, doesn't look like he has far to go.

Making his NFL debut Sunday against the New York Giants, McKinnie gave up his first-ever sack but otherwise looked strong at left tackle. He played there for all but three series, totaling 41 plays.

The 6-foot-8, 350-pound McKinnie was originally supposed to play between 15 and 25 snaps, but he showed up in much better shape than the Vikings anticipated.

"I think there were some scheme things that maybe we could've done better, but he competed,'' coach Mike Tice said. "He is going to be a force for us. And he'll be better next week.''

McKinnie, the Vikings' highest draft choice in 17 years, ended a 98-day holdout last week when he agreed to a five-year contract worth more than $13 million.

The last time he played was Jan. 3, when his Miami Hurricanes beat Nebraska in the Rose Bowl for the national championship.

A defensive lineman in high school, McKinnie never gave up a sack as a two-year starter at Miami and as a two-year starter at Lackawanna Junior College in Scranton, Pa.

But on third down with the Vikings trailing 27-20, Kenny Holmes sped past McKinnie and forced quarterback Todd Bouman to fumble as he sacked him. Minnesota lost 20 yards on the play, had to punt and watched the Giants run out the clock with the victory.

"They have a three-month head start on me -- come on,'' McKinnie said. "Just give me some time. Not too many people could come in with a week of practice and play that much. Next week, I'll do better.''

His coaches said he missed some blocking assignments, but those mistakes were attributed to a lack of time with the playbook.

"He answered the bell,'' offensive line coach Steve Loney said. "He'll learn. All that learning he's doing now, he could've been doing all year. I told him after the game I was proud of him. He has nothing to hang his head about.''

Though the line gave up five sacks, holes were open for Michael Bennett -- who rushed 15 times for a career-best 167 yards. He noticed McKinnie's presence immediately.

"The guy's like a brick wall,'' Bennett said. "He was able to push the defensive ends around out there. I would run over that side, and there would be nobody there. He's an enormous guy. I'm glad we got him in.''

The nerves, McKinnie said, were gone by his second series.

"I did pretty decent,'' McKinnie said. "Each week I just plan on getting better.''