Overview
- Team officials confirmed Herbert will not play or suit up Sunday as a precaution to avoid further damage to his fractured non-throwing hand following early-December surgery.
- Trey Lance draws his first start of the season and the sixth of his career, providing a meaningful evaluation opportunity ahead of the postseason.
- Seeding remains in flux: the Chargers can climb from No. 6 to No. 5 with a win and help or fall to No. 7 with a loss, while a Broncos victory would secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
- Denver is expected to play starters and features a defense ranked top-three in yards allowed, posing a tough matchup for Lance behind a reshuffled offensive line.
- Herbert practiced in a limited capacity and “respected” the decision, offensive coordinator Greg Roman praised his injury-hit season, and DJ Uiagalelei was reportedly elevated to back up Lance.