The San Francisco 49ers can brag about having one of the NFL's better quarterback rooms this season, made evident by the fact they navigated Brock Purdy's lengthy injury absence by getting exemplary play from their No. 2 guy under center, Mac Jones, for eight games and riding a 5-3 record during that span.
Most teams would be devastated if they lost their starter for an eight-game stretch. And while the Los Angeles Chargers probably aren't worried about missing their star starter under center, Justin Herbert, for a lengthy period of time, they at least have to be thinking about his interim fill-in.
Trey Lance. You might remember him.
The Niners' top pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, one whom they acquired via a lucrative trade-up to the No. 3 overall spot, flamed out in the Bay Area after two unimpressive seasons before finding himself traded off to the Dallas Cowboys after Purdy's emergence. And Lance didn't enjoy much more success there either before inking a deal with the Bolts to serve as Herbert's primary backup for another well-known name to San Francisco fans, head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh might be the coach necessary to turn Lance's floundering career around, and it seemed to be the case last preseason.
In light of recent Herbert news, those efforts might be vital to Los Angeles' playoff future.
Justin Herbert injury opens door to Trey Lance starting again
After knocking off the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13, the Chargers learned Herbert suffered a broken bone in his non-throwing hand during the game, an injury that would require surgery, according to Harbaugh:
Chargers QB Justin Herbert fractured his left hand today vs. the Raiders and is set to undergo surgery Monday, per HC Jim Harbaugh. The team is uncertain if Herbert will miss any time.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2025
Also of note is the report suggesting Herbert might not miss the Bolts' upcoming Week 14 tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, which carries significant ramifications for an 8-4 squad aiming to claim the top spot in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos.
Should Lance get the start over Herbert, it'd be the former's first of the season and his first since starting a single game for Dallas last year.
In total, Lance has just five regular-season starts under his belt, four of which stem from his San Francisco tenure.
It'll be something worth monitoring for 49ers fans, particularly with their own squad enjoying a Week 14 bye.
As for Lance, it might be his next best opportunity to turn around what has otherwise been a frustrating career.