Herbert completed 19 of 31 pass attempts for 159 yards and took 10 carries for 57 yards with a lost fumble in Sunday's 16-3 wild-card loss to the Patriots.

EDGE Analysis

The narrative of Herbert falling flat in the playoffs grew louder Sunday after he failed to lead a touchdown drive against New England in another early-round exit. This comes on the heels of the signal-caller throwing four interceptions in last year's wild-card round loss to the Texans. The 27-year-old finished the regular season throwing for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns to 13 interceptions across 16 starts, but he was without the services of his starting right tackle for the entire season, while star LT Joe Alt missed portions of the year (including Sunday's loss). Assuming Los Angeles' offensive line can hold up in 2026, Herbert should maintain startability as a fantasy option for the upcoming campaign.

Herbert (left hand) practiced fully Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Chargers elected to rest Herbert -- who has been managing a left (non-throwing) hand injury -- in the team's Week 18 loss to Broncos, with an eye toward giving their starting QB added healing time ahead of the postseason. On that topic, Herbert said Wednesday that his left hand feels as strong as it has since before he injured it in Week 13. "Not taking hits on it last week was probably pretty helpful," Herbert noted. Moreover, in preparation for Sunday night's wild-card contest against the Patriots, Herbert took snaps under center during Wednesday's session after having previously waited until Saturday or Sunday to do so of late.

Herbert (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game in Denver.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced earlier in the week that Herbert was slated to sit out the regular-season finale, so the quarterback's inactive status is merely a formality. With Herbert resting in advance of the wild-card round of the playoffs, the Chargers will turn to Trey Lance to make his first start of the season under center. The Chargers elevated DJ Uiagalelei from the practice squad to serve as Lance's backup in Week 18.

Herbert (left hand/rest) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos but is not in line to play in the contest, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Herbert, who has been managing a left hand injury, was rested in practice Thursday and Friday, and the Chargers intend to rest the QB on Sunday as well. Per Omar Navarro of the team's official site, Trey Lance is slated to start in place of Herbert this weekend, with DJ Uiagalelei on track to be elevated from the practice squad in order to back up Lance, a scenario that should land Herbert on the the team's Week 18 inactive list.

Herbert (left hand/rest) was limited at practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert is not in line to see action in the playoff-bound Chargers' regular-season finale against the Broncos on Sunday, with the QB's listed limitations Wednesday an acknowledgement that he continues to manage a (non-throwing) hand issue ahead of Week 18. In any case, if Herbert isn't officially ruled out on Friday's final injury report, he's on track to be made inactive Sunday, which sets the stage for Trey Lance to start against Denver, with practice squad member DJ Uiagalelei in line to be elevated to serve as the team's No. 2 QB.

Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert and other Los Angeles starters will rest for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Broncos, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

After losing to the Texans on Saturday, the Chargers still can be anywhere from the No. 5 to 7 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, but it appears the team will prioritize the health of Herbert and other key players this coming weekend, as Harbaugh told Kris Rhim of ESPN.com that those with "the most bruises" and need "the most healing" won't play. Herbert will get two weeks to rest up after absorbing a career-high 54 sacks during the regular season. Trey Lance figures to get the nod under center for Week 18.

Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception and rushed six times for 37 yards in the Chargers' 20-16 loss to the Texans on Saturday. He also committed two fumbles but recovered both.

EDGE Analysis

Herbert's busy stat line and the five sacks he took all speak to the unsurprisingly tough day he endured against a talented Texans defense. In fairness, the sixth-year signal-caller's one interception was costly but also not truly his fault, as a pass intended for Oronde Gadsden near the goal line bounced off the rookie tight end's hands and into those of the Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair to short-circuit a surefire scoring opportunity. Herbert also appeared to have aggravated his preexisting left-hand injury after a first-half sack per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com, but he never saw a trainer. Herbert and the Chargers were unable to capitalize on an opportunity to clinch at least the No. 5 seed with a victory, adding additional importance to their Week 18 road game against the Broncos.

Herbert completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 300 yards and two touchdowns and also added eight carries for 42 yards and an additional score in the 34-17 win over the Cowboys on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Herbert played what was arguably his best of the season Sunday, completely dissecting a Dallas defense that never felt like it had an answer throughout the afternoon. Notably the Pro Bowl quarterback was not sacked this week after facing relentless pressure the prior two contests, which had capped his fantasy impact as Herbert attempted to just stay upright. The 27-year-old spread the targets around dutifully as Ladd McConkey led the team with six, but notably this was the first game since Week 10 that Herbert connected with a wide receiver for a reception longer than 40 yards. Herbert is likely to have a much more difficult time come Week 17 against the Texans, who boast one of the best defenses in the league.

Herbert completed 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards with a touchdown and an interception while rushing twice for no gain in the Chargers' 16-13 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Herbert persevered through a pressure-filled afternoon that saw him sacked four times, navigating an aggressive Chiefs defense to help lead a comeback from a 13-3 deficit. The 2020 first-round pick put a dent in that margin just before the end of the first half, hitting rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith from 16 yards out with five seconds remaining in the second quarter. Herbert was relatively quiet the rest of the way, but he helped lead Los Angeles to the final six points of the game for either side on a pair of third-quarter drives. Herbert will continue spearheading the Chargers' playoff quest in a marquee road showdown against the Cowboys next Sunday afternoon.

Herbert (left hand) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Herbert played through a fracture in his left hand Monday against the Eagles, completing 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception, taking 10 carries for 66 yards and fumbling twice (one lost). Afterward, he noted that he underwent precautionary X-rays, telling Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site that "everything was clean for the most part. It's just getting the swelling down and continuing to get full strength in it and continuing to do as much treatment as I can." Herbert was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but the issue won't stop him from suiting up again this weekend.