STWF Sports | LOS ANGELES | Dec. 30, 2025 — With the postseason secured and the stakes shifting from urgency to preservation, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh made a decisive call ahead of Week 18: franchise quarterback Justin Herbert will not play in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos.
Harbaugh confirmed Friday that Herbert will be held out entirely—not even dressing—for the matchup, opting instead to prioritize health as the Chargers prepare for a playoff run. Backup quarterback Trey Lance will make the start, with DJ Uiagalelei serving as the No. 2 option.
The decision comes with the Chargers already locked into a postseason berth, leaving only playoff seeding at stake in the regular-season finale. For Harbaugh, however, the calculation was straightforward.
“Winning and health, being healthy, those are our two objectives,” Harbaugh said. “And guys that we think—the doctors, the trainers, myself, the organization—have the most bruises and need that time the most, we’ve decided that’s the direction we’re going.”
Herbert was at the top of that list.
The sixth-year quarterback has been playing through a fractured left (non-throwing) hand since Week 13, an injury that would sideline many players but did not force Herbert to miss a single snap. While he continued to perform at a high level, the cumulative toll of the injury—combined with a battered offensive line—made the extra week of rest increasingly valuable.
Los Angeles has also been without both starting offensive tackles for extended stretches, forcing constant shuffling up front and exposing Herbert to consistent pressure. The Chargers’ decision to rest multiple starters described as having “the most bruises” reflects a broader effort to enter the playoffs as close to full strength as possible.
The move has significant implications for the AFC playoff picture. With Denver heavily favored against a Chargers lineup filled with reserves, the Broncos are now in position to secure the conference’s top seed with a win. Should that occur, and if the New England Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins in Week 18, Denver would claim the No. 1 seed while New England would remain at No. 2.
That scenario would likely send Los Angeles—projected to land in the No. 7 seed—to Foxborough for a Wild Card matchup against a Patriots team led by head coach Mike Vrabel and rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Harbaugh was quick to dismiss any suggestion that resting Herbert was designed to manipulate postseason matchups.
“Health and winning. That’s it,” Harbaugh said. “There’s no way to predict. We’re going on the road, first round. All potential teams would be good, and we’ll get ourselves ready for that.”
From Herbert’s perspective, the timing could not be better. Despite the fractured hand and inconsistent protection, he completed another productive season, finishing with 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also added a career-high 498 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, showcasing an expanded element of his game while earning his second Pro Bowl selection.
Now, for the first time in weeks, Herbert will have the opportunity to rest, heal, and reset before the intensity of playoff football begins.
For Harbaugh, who has long preached physicality and endurance, the decision underscores a broader postseason philosophy: availability matters as much as talent. As the Chargers prepare for their Wild Card journey, the focus has shifted from immediate results to long-term readiness—an approach that could define how far Los Angeles ultimately goes in January.
