Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh says quarterback Justin Herbert will not play in the team's regular-season finale Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said quarterback Justin Herbert will not play in the team's regular-season finale Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
With the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday putting them out of contention for the AFC West title, the move to rest Herbert for the playoffs is a logical one as the quarterback continues to recover from left hand surgery he underwent last month to repair a broken bone.
Read more:Chargers' AFC West title hopes shattered in frustrating loss to Texans
Herbert was sacked five times by the Texans, and appeared to be wincing in pain after taking a hit in the first half. He didn't miss a snap, however, connecting for 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards.
With Herbert resting, former third-overall pick Trey Lance will start against the Broncos at Mile High on Sunday, with DJ Uiagalelei serving as backup, Harbaugh said. The Chargers are battling to secure the No. 5 playoff seed in the AFC playoffs.
Herbert has passed for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns for the 11-5 Chargers, who had won four straight games before falling to the Texans for the second time this calendar year — they lost to Houston in the wild-card playoffs last year.
Although a win over the Broncos would give the Chargers a season sweep over the AFC West, the Chargers need to Herbert to be at his healthiest with potential wild-card matchups against the Patriots and Jaguars on the road looming.
Read more:Chargers' persistent offensive line issues threaten to derail their season
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Category: General Sports
