Trey

Lance

The rarely-seen doubtful tag. Only the Chargers could discover a way for their backup quarterback to get it. DJ Uiagalelei could backup Justin Herbert this week.

Trey Lance will back up Justin Herbert. Uiagalelei was waived by the Chargers at roster cutdowns last year as well. He stuck on the team’s practice squad and signed a reserve/future deal this offseason. He has a shot at landing on LA’s practice squad once again.

Lance served as the backup to Justin Herbert in 2025, apparently doing enough to warrant a return to the team for the coming season. Lance has started six games across 16 appearances in four professional seasons with the 49ers, Cowboys, and Chargers, starting one game each in the previous two seasons. His career five-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio and 54.0% completion rate leave a lot to be desired, particularly considering he has not thrown a touchdown since his rookie season in 2021. At bare minimum, he brings familiarity with the offensive system and continuity behind Herbert.

Chargers veteran slot WR Keenan Allen functioned as the offensive focal point this afternoon. Unfortunately, for Lance, Allen mostly ran quick-hitting routes that relied on the 33-year-old to pick up yards after the catch. Chargers rookie WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith is to blame for Lance’s interception, tipping a catchable pass into Broncos slot CB Ja’Quan McMillian’s hands for the pick-six. Lance did a great job evading Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto for much of the game, but Bonitto got the better of Lance late in the game by forcing a fumble with a well-aimed punch. Lance connected with WR Derius Davis for a short touchdown late in the game, but it was called back due to an illegal formation penalty. The 25-year-old backup heads back to the bench for the Chargers’ Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Patriots.

Herbert took a beating against the Texans in Week 17 and looked to be in significant pain at the end of that contest, and the Chargers don’t have much to play for in the finale before the playoffs. It’ll likely be Trey Lance starting against Denver, and his dual-threat ability makes his an intriguing — but risky — fantasy play for that finale.

It will come down to pain tolerance for Herbert as the Chargers prepare for a Week 14 matchup with the Eagles. Herbert said Sunday that he plans on suiting up one week after having his hand surgically repaired. It’s his non-throwing hand, so it might be possible for Herbert to play against the Eagles. If he’s sidelined, Trey Lance will likely start for LA in Week 14. It would be a huge downgrade for all Chargers pass catchers, though Lance would have some appeal in superflex formats thanks to his rushing upside.

Justin Herbert’s hand injury, which he is getting surgery for today, hampered him enough that the Chargers didn’t have him take any snaps under center. It’s possible that Lance handles some goal-line work for the Chargers this week even if Herbert starts the game, cutting into Herbert’s fantasy ceiling. We’d be a little surprised if such a scenario comes to pass, but the fact that the Chargers are openly admitting they’re doing due diligence on it says plenty on its own.

The injury is a break in Herbert’s non-throwing hand. The Chargers’ QB1 played through the injury in Week 13’s win over the Raiders, but Harbaugh was unsure whether Herbert would miss time after the procedure, saying the team will see how the week goes for his star QB. He did enough to pull out the win on Sunday, throwing for 151-2-1 on 20 passes, but Herbert will face a tougher challenge in Week 14 against the Eagles if active. In the event he can’t go, former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance would draw the start, which would massively downgrade the fantasy stocks of all Chargers offensive players.

The former first-rounder tacked on three rushes for eight yards. Lance started and played the first three quarters. Battling Taylor Heinicke for No. 2 duties behind Justin Herbert, Lance is getting more extended preseason run because of how little he has played in the regular campaign. Heinicke didn’t dress this evening. Lance is presumably the higher upside option, but Heinicke is guaranteed slightly more money. It’s not out of the question the Bolts keep three quarterbacks, but that is no longer the norm in the modern NFL.

He added that he’s looking forward to getting Lance some “game experience.” Lance, who has been living the Hall Of Fame game life for his entire career, led the NFL in pass attempts and passing yards in last year’s preseason action.