Justin Herbert will not play in the Chargers regular-season finale in Denver, Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday.
In fact, the Chargers franchise quarterback won’t even dress as Trey Lance will start and DJ Uiagalelei will serve as the backup quarterback after being elevated from the practice squad.
Harbaugh on Monday explained the decision.
“The guys that have the most bruises and need the most healing, we’ll pull them back. Justin Herbert would be one,” Harbaugh said.
He later added of Herbert: “He’s got bruises that need to heal.”
The Chargers are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC postseason picture and have numerous playoff seeding scenarios that could play out, including potentially getting the Nos. 5, 6 or 7 seed.
But Harbaugh said Monday that having Herbert fully healthy for the postseason with the main objective.
“Winning and being healthy, those are our two objectives,” Harbaugh said. “Guys that we think, the doctors, trainers, myself, the organization, that have the most bruises and need that time the most, we’ve decided that’s the direction we’re going.”
Herbert’s 2025 season will end with 16 starts in 16 games while completing 340 of 512 passes (66.4 percent) for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Harbaugh said there will likely be other starters who don’t play in Denver but those decisions will be made later in the week.
“We’ll see how the rest of the week goes with who all they are. They’ll be some situations where some starters are backups,” Harbaugh said.
