How Trey Lance is Approaching His 1st Start With Chargers in Week 18

It will be Lance’s first start since Week 18 of last season, when he was under center for the Cowboys in their regular-season finale.

He’s appeared in 15 games throughout his NFL career, throwing for 1,153 passing yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions to go along with 292 rushing yards and a touchdown.

With his limited playing experience across his five years as a pro, Week 18 could be a big opportunity for him moving forward.

However, he doesn’t look too far ahead at this point in his career.

“Going through everything my first five years in the league, I just learned to take it one day at a time, one hour at a time,” Lance said. “If I’m in a meeting, that’s where I’m at. If I’m at home, that’s where I’m at.

“Excited when I found out about it, but I don’t think too much about everything else that’s gone on,” Lance added.

Of course, prepping the week as the starter includes a full week of practice reps.

Lance got a glimpse of it heading into Week 14 as Herbert recovered from surgery on his left hand, allowing Lance to practice with the starters.

But he says this week is no different, even with the guaranteed ramp up to the game.

“I prepare the same way, whether I’m getting reps in practice,” Lance said. “Obviously, it’s awesome to get reps and know for sure that I’m going to be up starting the game, but I think preparation-wise it doesn’t change a whole lot.”

Harbaugh backed up the notion as he knows what to expect from the quarterback heading into the week.

“Full week of practice, I know what that’s going to look like from a getting prepared standpoint, I know what that’s going to look like from a meeting standpoint,” Harbaugh said of Lance. “Got a glimpse of it when Justin had the hand a couple of practices there that week and it was good. Really good. Excited for that, I know he will be, too.”