Los Angeles Chargers Quarterback Justin Herbert Not Playing In Week 18
After a season that felt like a high-wire act performed without a net, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh has finally made the call that every person in Los Angeles was hoping for. Justin Herbert is sitting out the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos. Nobody wanted to see Herbert drop back to pass in a game that means statistically nothing for the AFC West title race.
A Well-Deserved Break For Herbert
Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that the franchise quarterback won’t suit up for the trip to Mile High. And frankly, it’s the only logical move. If you watched the loss to the Texans last Saturday, you probably felt your heart stop every time Herbert hit the turf. He was sacked five times. Five. At one point in the first half, he came up wincing, and you could practically hear the collective gasp from the Bolts’ fanbase.
The guy is tough. He played through the pain, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown, but watching him navigate the pocket with a recovering broken bone in his left hand was stressful enough to age us all five years. With the AFC West crown officially out of reach following the Houston loss, risking Herbert further would have been coaching malpractice.
Bubble Wrap Strategy For the Playoffs
This week is all about preservation. We are talking bubble wrap mode. The Chargers are locked into a playoff spot, battling for seeding, sure, but the bigger picture is infinitely more important. You don’t win the Super Bowl in Week 18 against Denver; you win it by having your elite signal-caller healthy when the Wild Card round kicks off.
Harbaugh knows the assignment. The goal now is to get Herbert as close to 100% as physically possible before the games actually start counting for keeps again.
Trey Lance Gets the Keys To the Offense
So, what does this mean for Sunday? It means we get the Trey Lance show. The former third-overall pick is set to take the reins. For Lance, this is a massive opportunity to showcase what he can do in this system without the pressure of a playoff race breathing down his neck. For the fans, it’s a chance to watch a game with zero anxiety. Grab a cold one, put your feet up, and enjoy a stress-free Sunday of football.
The Chargers have done the hard work to get to the dance. Now, it’s about making sure the star of the show is ready for the opening number. Herbert gets a week to heal, the backups get some reps, and we all get to look forward to the playoffs without worrying about an injury report.
