Social media reacts to Brock Purdy playing vs. Saints without his starters

Brock Purdy took the field for three series for the 49ers' second preseason game of the year, but Purdy's starting cast was largely absent.

Late in the week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he was planning on playing a good number of his starters in preseason Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.

Shanahan wasn't specific as to who, although he did say quarterback Brock Purdy would start the game after being held out from the Niners' exhibition opener last weekend against the Tennessee Titans.

It was pretty clear All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey would be out, as he's dealing with a calf injury. Left tackle Trent Williams is holding out as well, so his absence is expected. And, considering San Francisco is still trying to navigate wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's contractual situation, it'd be understandable to have fellow wideout Deebo Samuel out, too, guarding against a potentially devastating injury.

Yet there were plenty of other starters who weren't suiting up to take care of Purdy against NOLA.

Fans and analysts aren't happy about Brock Purdy missing his starters vs. Saints

McCaffrey, Samuel, Williams and Aiyuk didn't play, and neither did tight end George Kittle.

Meanwhile, the 49ers fielded an equivalent of their starting offensive line, minus Williams and left guard Aaron Banks, who is out with a broken finger.

And yet Purdy went 2-of-6 for 11 yards and a passer rating of just 42.4, all the while dealing with all kinds of pressure from New Orleans' defense.

Needless to say, social media reactions to this approach were, well... a little heated and questioning:

Purdy's efforts will unquestionably draw criticism from those who likely looked at nothing more than box scores.

But, thankfully, Shanahan didn't subject Purdy to more headaches by keeping him on the field with almost an entire cast of backups, many of which may not even make the 53-man roster by Week 1.

As to why? Well, that's probably something on Shanahan can answer.

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