Trey Lance will start on Sunday and DJ Ulagalelei will be the backup as the team rests its Pro Bowl QB. Coach Jim Harbaugh says the decision is based on the need to have a healthy-as-possible Herbert ready for the playoffs.<\/b>
\nJustin Herbert will not start, play a backup\u2019s role or suit up for the Chargers\u2019 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Broncos, Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. The Chargers made the decision based on the need to have a healthy-as-possible Herbert ready for the playoffs.
Herbert fractured his left, non-throwing hand during the Chargers\u2019 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 30 and underwent surgery the next day. He has played with varying degrees of effectiveness over the course of the past five games, leading the Chargers (11-5) to four straight victories before Saturday\u2019s 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans.
\u201cThe guys who have the most bruises and need the most healing, we will pull them back,\u201d Harbaugh said. \u201cJustin Herbert would be one. We\u2019ll see how the rest of the week goes with who all they are (who sit out against the Broncos). There are going to be some situations where starters are backups.\u201d
Trey Lance will start Sunday for the first time with the Chargers, his first action since replacing Herbert for a total of 10 snaps while Herbert was checked out by the team\u2019s medical staff after he fractured his hand on a scramble play in the first quarter of a 31-14 victory over the Raiders.
DJ Ulagalelei will be the backup and Herbert, a Pro Bowl pick this season, will not dress on Sunday.
Harbaugh said he had not delivered the news to Herbert, as of Monday afternoon. Harbaugh acknowledged not knowing how Herbert would take the news, adding that \u201cwinning and (being) healthy, that\u2019s our two objectives.\u201d Herbert last missed a start after breaking his finger late in the 2023 season.
\u201cThe doctors, the trainers, myself, the organization,\u201d Harbaugh said of who made the decision to rest Herbert for a game that will settle who the Chargers will face in an AFC wild-card game. \u201cThe ones with the most bruises, who need that time (off) the most, we decided that\u2019s the direction we will go.\u201d
More to come on this story.<\/p>\n