Justin Herbert: Everything you need to know

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. 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. 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. 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.