Justin Herbert will not play in Chargers’ regular-season finale vs. Broncos

EL SEGUNDO — Justin Herbert will not start, play a backup’s role or suit up for the Chargers’ regular-season finale on Sunday against the Broncos, Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. The Chargers made the decision based on the need to have a healthy-as-possible Herbert ready for the playoffs.

Herbert fractured his left, non-throwing hand during the Chargers’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 30 and underwent surgery the next day. He has played with varying degrees of effectiveness over the course of the past five games, leading the Chargers (11-5) to four straight victories before Saturday’s 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans.

“The guys who have the most bruises and need the most healing, we will pull them back,” Harbaugh said. “Justin Herbert would be one. We’ll see how the rest of the week goes with who all they are (who sit out against the Broncos). There are going to be some situations where starters are backups.”

Trey Lance will start Sunday for the first time with the Chargers, his first action since replacing Herbert for a total of 10 snaps while Herbert was checked out by the team’s medical staff after he fractured his hand on a scramble play in the first quarter of a 31-14 victory over the Raiders.

DJ Ulagalelei will be the backup and Herbert, a Pro Bowl pick this season, will not dress on Sunday.

Harbaugh said he had not delivered the news to Herbert, as of Monday afternoon. Harbaugh acknowledged not knowing how Herbert would take the news, adding that “winning and (being) healthy, that’s our two objectives.” Herbert last missed a start after breaking his finger late in the 2023 season.

“The doctors, the trainers, myself, the organization,” Harbaugh said of who made the decision to rest Herbert for a game that will settle who the Chargers will face in an AFC wild-card game. “The ones with the most bruises, who need that time (off) the most, we decided that’s the direction we will go.”

More to come on this story.