With a week left and playoff positioning still up in the air, the Los Angeles Chargers are already focused on the first playoff game.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced that backup quarterback Trey Lance will start on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, giving Justin Herbert some rest ahead of the playoffs. Herbert won't be the only starter to get the day off, though.
As Los Angeles prepares to return to the playoffs for the second-straight season, here's why the Chargers will be playing their backups in the final regular season game.
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Why are Chargers resting Herbert, other starters vs. Broncos?
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is choosing to sit several of his starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, as the team doesn't have much to decide in Week 18. The Broncos have already clinched the AFC West, which means that Los Angeles will be a wild-card team in the playoffs.
Therefore, the Chargers feel that a week of rest is more beneficial than going all-out to earn the No. 5 seed.
"There's no way to predict," Harbaugh said, via NFL.com. "We're going on the road first round. All potential teams will be good and we'll get ourselves ready for that."
A Chargers loss and a Buffalo Bills win would mean Los Angeles clinches the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. Additionally, the only way the Chargers can get up to the No. 5 seed is if they win and both the Bills and Houston Texans lose on Sunday.
With so much out of their control, the Chargers will focus on getting healthy for the first round of the playoffs. That is especially the case for Herbert, who has been banged up to end the year.
"He's got bruises that need to heal," Harbaugh said.
Who are Chargers resting vs. Broncos?
Head coach Jim Harbaugh didn't give specific names of who he will sit besides Justin Herbert, the head coach said he expects to sit several starters. One of those starters will also be running back Omarion Hampton, who was also ruled out for the game on Friday.
Based on the Chargers' injury report during the week, other players who may rest in the game include, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Keenan Allen and Bradley Bozeman. Los Angeles can only make seven players healthy scratches for the game, so some starters may dress but be used in a backup role against Denver.
Jim Harbaugh said there could be some usual #Chargers starters who dress for Sunday's game vs. Broncos but fill a "backup role."
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) January 2, 2026
The Broncos, meanwhile, need a win to secure the No. 1 seed, so they will most likely play their starters to make sure they get a bye in the first round.
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