EL SEGUNDO — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert won’t play against the Detroit Lions in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday in Canton, Ohio, but Trey Lance will. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey won’t play, but rookie Tre’ Harris will. Center Bradley Bozeman won’t play, but Zion Johnson will.
Coach Jim Harbaugh ran down a list Tuesday of the players who won’t play against the Lions in the team’s preseason opener, and it was a lengthy one that featured most of the Chargers’ expected starters when the regular season begins Sept. 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The first of the Chargers’ four exhibition games will offer backups and depth players, including several drafted and undrafted rookies, an opportunity to showcase their skills. Lance certainly fits into that category, dueling with veteran Taylor Heinicke to win the backup’s job behind Herbert.
Harbaugh said the plan was to start Lance against the Lions, playing him in the first half and then for the first series of the third quarter. DJ Uiagalelei, an undrafted free agent from Florida State, will replace Lance, who signed as a free agent after spending the 2024 season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Heinicke is scheduled to play Aug. 10 against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium, according to Harbaugh. Who backs him up remained to be determined, as of Tuesday. Heinicke served as Herbert’s backup last season, playing four games and completing 3 of 5 passes for 28 yards.
The backup’s role for this coming season remains up in the air.
Asked about Lance, Harbaugh said, “He’s had a heck of a camp. Really, both he and Taylor Heinicke and DJ have played really well. Very, very pleased. That’s why I’m giving Trey Lance game experience. I look at his career … and he just hasn’t been out there for the game experience.”
Lance played only four games last season for the Cowboys after sitting out the entire 2023 season following an injury-plagued start to his career with the San Francisco 49ers. He has played only 12 games over three seasons over four years since the 49ers picked him third overall in the 2021 draft.
Harbaugh called Lance “a talented player who has played well in practice.”
Now, it’s time to see what Lance can do for the Chargers in a game. He need only look across the line of scrimmage to see what an exceptional showing in a preseason game can do for a player, especially one who might have been counted out or overlooked in the preceding days, weeks, months and years.
Last season, after deciding to return to the NFL after spending one season as a scout with the Baltimore Ravens, defensive back Tony Jefferson signed with the Chargers as a free agent. He admitted this past spring that he was woefully out of NFL shape and struggled in camp in 2024.
Then, in the final preseason game, Jefferson delivered the goods. He had a team-leading 14 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one sack of Lance during the Chargers’ 26-19 victory over the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. It sealed a spot for Jefferson on the 53-man roster.
“Winning is the important thing and in my memory for the preseason, you know, like some of my most favorite memories are from the preseason,” Harbaugh said. “You know, you played good and the team won, and you made a name for yourself. There’s an opportunity. It’s like somebody’s handing you an opportunity. For all the guys, I think if they come out of this game like Tony Jefferson came out of the Cowboys game last year. It’s just the juice football gives you. I want all the guys to experience it.”
EXTRA POINTS
Running back Najee Harris continued to be sidelined by an eye injury sustained during a July 4 fireworks accident, sitting out for the 11th consecutive camp session. Rookie Omarion Hampton, a first-round pick, is slated to play as the lead back against the Lions. …
Tre’ Harris, a rookie who was a second-round pick, will make his Chargers debut against the Lions. …
Johnson, who was the Chargers’ starting left guard for the past three seasons, is in a competition for the starting center spot with Bozeman, who was the starting center last season. Harbaugh said Johnson would play at least several possessions against the Lions.