Following the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys and the Indianapolis Colts suffering a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Chargers clinched a playoff berth for a second-straight season.
L.A. moved to 11-4 with the win, which was good enough to clinch one of the final wildcard spots in the AFC playoff picture.
The Chargers played its starters this past week in Saturday’s 20-16 loss to Houston, but many starters could be inactive this upcoming weekend due to rest in the team’s Sunday regular season finale against the Denver Broncos.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh spoke to the media early this week, suggesting multiple starters would be sat on Sunday to ensure that his players are healthy heading into the playoffs.
Harbaugh said (via ESPN):
“Winning and health, being healthy, those are our two objectives. And guys that we think — the doctors, the trainers, myself, organization — that have the most bruises and need that time the most, we’ve decided that’s the direction we’re going.”
Is Justin Herbert Playing Against the Broncos?
One guy on the team that has some bruises is quarterback Justin Herbert, who has been playing through with a fracture in his left hand since Week 13. With not much to play for this Sunday, Justin Herbert will not be playing in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.
#Chargers QB Justin Herbert will NOT play on Sunday vs. the Broncos, per HC Jim Harbaugh.
With the division no longer a possibility, they are onto the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/7xJ4ohwxnH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 29, 2025
This will give Herbert more time to rest his fractured hand, that hasn’t seem to been much of an issue for him the last few weeks.
With Herbert resting, backup quarterback and former first round pick Trey Lance will get the start. The Chargers elevated quarterback DJ Uiagalelei off of the practice squad to serve as Lance’s backup.
Los Angeles is currently the sixth seed in the AFC, and regardless of Sunday’s result, will play a road playoff game in the first round. Denver, however, at 13-3, currently has the No. 1 seed and a win would secure them the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
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