The Denver Broncos (13-3) just got a major piece of news heading into their regular-season finale.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters quarterback Justin Herbert will not start Sunday against Denver at Empower Field at Mile High.
The matchup is set for 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS), and it still matters for both teams, especially Denver.
Key details (quick hit)
- Report: Justin Herbert will not start vs. Denver
- Game: Chargers at Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
- Broncos stakes: A win locks up the AFC’s No. 1 seed; a loss opens the door to tiebreak help scenarios
- Chargers stakes: L.A. is locked into the playoffs and is playing out Week 18 seeding scenarios
What the Justin Herbert news means for the Broncos
From Denver’s perspective, this is the kind of late-week development that can reshape how you view a division game, even one you still have to take seriously.
Herbert has been playing through a left-hand injury that required surgery earlier this season, with reports at the time noting backup Trey Lance would be the likely starter if Herbert couldn’t go. Now, per Schefter, Harbaugh has gone a step further and said Herbert won’t start at all.
For Denver, the obvious benefit is preparation: the Broncos can shift their defensive focus toward a different quarterback profile, and they can do it with real urgency because the No. 1 seed is still in play.
The Broncos (13-3) clinched the AFC West and are assured the top seed if they beat the Chargers. If Denver loses, the Broncos can still land the No. 1 seed with the right help elsewhere.
That’s why this game isn’t “rest everyone” situation for Sean Payton’s group. Denver has a tangible prize: a first-round bye and home-field advantage.
Why the Chargers might be thinking postseason first
Even with Herbert sitting, the Chargers still have reasons to approach Week 18 cautiously.
The Chargers are already locked into a Wild Card spot, and their official seeding breakdown shows how narrow the Week 18 ladder can be. Los Angeles can still climb as high as the No. 5 seed with a win in Denver and help elsewhere, but they can also slide depending on results.
That context matters, because it’s the classic Week 18 tug-of-war: chase a slightly better seed, or prioritize health.
And if Herbert is out, it’s fair to expect the Chargers’ game plan to tilt toward minimizing risk, more run game, quicker decisions, and fewer “hang in the pocket” dropbacks against a Broncos defense that’s been built to make quarterbacks uncomfortable.
What to watch Sunday in Denver
Even with Herbert not starting, Denver can’t treat this as a free square.
If Lance (or another backup) is under center, the Broncos’ job becomes twofold: win early and avoid giving the opponent extra possessions. Backup quarterbacks can look very different if you let them play from a clean script.
The other big “what happens next” item is official confirmation later in the week: practice participation, the team’s final injury report, and — most importantly — the inactive list Sunday. That’s when Denver will learn whether this is just a Herbert change or a broader Chargers plan to keep multiple starters on the sideline.
For the Broncos, though, the mission stays simple: handle business at home, lock up the No. 1 seed, and head into January with the bracket going through Denver.
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