The NFL preseason officially begins on July 31 with the Los Angeles Chargers facing the Detroit Lions in the annual Hall of Fame game. Despite the excitement surrounding the preseason opener, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will not participate. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Herbert will be held out of the game to avoid injury, with Trey Lance starting at quarterback instead.
Lance, the former San Francisco 49ers first-round pick selected third overall in 2021, will handle the offense for the entire first half and lead a drive in the third quarter. Rookie undrafted free agent DJ Uiagalelei will follow in for the remainder of the game, while veteran Taylor Heinicke will serve as an emergency third-string quarterback.
Harbaugh says Trey Lance will play 1st quarter, 2nd quarter, and a drive of the 3rd quarter. Then DJU will suit up for the rest.
Taylor Heinicke is emergency backup third. Justin Herbert will not dress. https://t.co/i3ZnAUgAfx pic.twitter.com/KBN3IxuuQf
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99)
Deciding to rest Herbert aligns with the Chargers’ efforts to protect their star quarterback, who is already recognized as one of the top players at his position. Avoiding preseason injuries is critical given his importance to the team‘s success in the regular season.
Broadcast Details for Watching the Hall of Fame Game
The Hall of Fame game featuring the Chargers and Lions will be held on Thursday, July 31, starting at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans can watch the game live on NBC, with streaming options available through Peacock, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV to ensure broad accessibility.
Can Justin Herbert Recover from Playoff Struggles and Lead a Changed Chargers Offense?
Entering his sixth NFL season, Justin Herbert faces a pivotal year after a challenging postseason. In a Wild Card playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Herbert threw four interceptions, a performance that drew significant criticism.
Justin Herbert threw 4 interceptions in the Wild Card game vs the Texans.
The 1st one was kinda his fault
The 2nd one was probably his fault
The 3rd and 4th had nothing to do with him
He’s just an easy scapegoat, & the picks are an easy stat to point to. Dumb argument. pic.twitter.com/ZaaRfwgn18
— Joe (@JoeA_NFL)
Despite the postseason setbacks, Herbert’s 2024 regular season was impressive. He passed for 3,870 yards, threw 23 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, guiding the Chargers to an 11-6 record and a playoff appearance. He ranked 14th in the QB+ metric with a solid grade of 78.5.
The team’s receiving corps, however, has undergone notable changes. Josh Palmer, one of Herbert’s key targets, departed in free agency to join the Buffalo Bills. Though the Chargers brought back veteran wide receiver Mike Williams during the offseason, he retired earlier in July. This leaves Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey as the primary returning receivers, having both surpassed 50 receptions and 700 yards last season.
With fewer proven playmakers, Herbert faces increased responsibility to manage the passing game effectively as the Chargers rebuild their offense for the 2025 season.