After a heavy dose of Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs in the San Francisco 49ers preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday marked the first appearance of a familiar face.

For the first time since their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in February, Brock Purdy started under center for the 49ers. While some rust is expected in a preseason week two cameo, Purdy's appearance on Sunday in Santa Clara didn't go to plan.

After three drives in the first quarter, Purdy's line in the box score finished with 11 yards through the air on 2-of-6 passing. However, it looked worse. In 11 plays, the 49ers managed just one first down with Purdy under center.

While Purdy's performance included a bad decision that almost resulted in an interception, the 49ers patchwork offensive line didn't do him any favors against a tough New Orleans Saints defensive line that featured multiple proven starters. In his short appearance, Purdy was either hit in the backfield or flushed out to scramble on nearly every drop back.

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Along with an offensive line that was missing Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Spencer Buford and Jon Feliciano, Purdy was also without nearly all of his prime weapons. Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey. George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, Kyle Juszczyk and Jordan Mason were all sidelined against the Saints.

With key piece after key piece missing all around him, what was the argument for Purdy to play not just one, but multiple series in a meaningless preseason contest —  a question Kyle Shanahan will likely have to answer.

With nothing to prove coming off an MVP finalist season, Purdy is the center of San Francisco's offense on a team that's attempting to get back to the Super Bowl. Putting him under center in a preseason game against a tough defense without his supporting cast is a questionable judgment.

While an ugly stint in the preseason should likely be forgotten about by the time the 49ers suit up for their regular season opener against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, it's safe to say Purdy should've joined the rest of his Pro Bowl-caliber teammates on the sideline on Sunday against the Saints.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Brock Purdy shouldn’t have started preseason game vs. Saints