SAN DIEGO -- Ameer Abdullah took the ball on his first carry from scrimmage as a pro, followed his blocks, cut back and scored a touchdown.

Everything with the Detroit Lions' offense -- and the whole team, really -- went downhill from there.

But Abdullah, whom the Lions used in a time-share situation in a 33-28 loss to San Diego on Sunday, showed in the regular-season opener to be everything he had been in the preseason. He looked like Detroit’s most explosive offensive option out of the backfield and was a complete running and receiving back the Lions have coveted for a long time.

If anything can be learned from the Lions' run game Sunday for the future, it is that Abdullah needs to be used even more than he was in the offense going forward than in Week 1, when he split time with Joique Bell.

"Man, the guy had some shake and bake, man," wide receiver Calvin Johnson said. "The guy can get up and down the field for us. So I love when he has the ball because once he has the ball, I just look for the next guy to block. Try to keep him on his feet and get him to the end zone."

Abdullah's touchdown was big, though, because it was exactly what he believes he is supposed to do -- "cut it up," then "make a move." That, he said, is how he knows he has to score. It was his plan from before he was even drafted by the Lions in the second round in May.

It was his strategy no matter where he ended up.

"Whether that was going to be first round or second round," Abdullah said, "I was going to try and make an impact on whatever team I'm on."

Abdullah ended up leading the Lions in rushing with 50 yards and had 44 yards receiving as well -- second only to tight end Eric Ebron. He had more carries than any Lions back and had as many receptions -- four -- as Golden Tate and had as many targets and more receptions than Johnson.

That Johnson was essentially a non-factor should be an issue for the Lions' offense, but it also shows how valuable Abdullah can be. The added bonus for Detroit is Abdullah looked sharp as a kick returner as well, almost breaking two of the three returns he took out of the end zone, averaging 35 yards per return.

"I think he demonstrated he had some quick-instinct abilities," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

But as good as Abdullah’s debut was, even he reverted back to his old form from college for a play. His miscue was fumbling once after not dropping a ball in any preseason game or practice that was open to the public.

The Lions recovered the fumble, but it was just part of a day in San Diego that started strong but unraveled everywhere else.