Drops were just part of what spoiled Brock Purdy’s return vs. Jaguars

Quarterback Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers should feel plenty frustrated after the 26-21 win/loss at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.

They could be frustrated by turnover issues, yes. And they could be frustrated at the lack of a ground game, which continued against the Jags despite All-Pro Christian McCaffrey getting 17 carries.

But, after missing the previous two weeks with turf toe, Purdy should feel especially frustrated with the sheer number of dropped passes at the hands (or off the hands) of his intended targets.

Purdy was the victim of at least four drops over the first half alone, including a brutal drop by wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the end zone that could have resulted in a touchdown instead of a field goal when the Niners were trying to get back in the game.

And while there was a frustrating ball off the top of McCaffrey's fingertips that went for a Jacksonville interception, one might argue the tailback should have been able to haul that in:

You can make the call on whether or not CMC should have had that, negating the chance for linebacker Devin Lloyd to record the pick.

But that one play was just a mere part of a greater problem. And McCaffrey had other brutal drops, too. So did veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, who was working with Purdy for the first time since signing with the squad after Week 1.

Drops weren't the only thing haunting Brock Purdy in Week 4

Purdy, too, shares some of the blame for his efforts, including a brutal third-quarter interception Lloyd also hauled in, which likely reminded Niners fans of one former quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. And fumbling while sacked on what could have been a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter?

That's a killer.

Overall, San Francisco's starter went 22-of-38 for 309 yards with two touchdowns against two interceptions, all for a 79.8 passer rating, and it's beyond safe to say it wasn't Purdy's best game.

In his defense, though, the drops weren't the only problem.

McCaffrey wasn't getting much thump on the ground, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, and even future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams had trouble blocking Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen. Tack on further injury woes, as wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall both went down in the second half, and one can see how Purdy's problems were compounded more and more.

Let's not even get into special teams woes, particularly on punt returns and kickoffs.

A slightly better game from Purdy might have been enough to lift the 49ers over the Jaguars despite so many other issues.

But it's impossible not to point the finger at, well... everyone in red and gold for what was truly a teamwide loss with plenty of issues they'll need to figure out.