The preseason is winding down, and regular-season football is almost here. This Saturday, August 23, the final 10 preseason matchups will occur across the league.
For the Los Angeles Chargers, this final tune-up carries extra meaning. They’ll face the San Francisco 49ers in what promises to be a fascinating clash between Jim Harbaugh and his former team. But the real drama centers on one question: how much will we see of the players who matter most?
Will Justin Herbert and Other Chargers Starters Play Against the San Francisco 49ers?
Jim Harbaugh’s preseason strategy has mirrored his weekend rival, Kyle Shanahan. The key difference is that the Chargers have played one extra game due to their Hall of Fame matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Harbaugh chose to play his starters for only a few snaps in the second preseason game, resting them in the first. This approach mirrors what the 49ers did with their key players. The trend suggests starters will rest again before the regular season begins, giving second-string players more opportunities on the field.
Thinks you love to see: Herbert to McConkey
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/JcUbRgd5ao
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
It’s unlikely that Justin Herbert will take the field. The Chargers’ regular season begins earlier than most teams, with their opener in Brazil on Friday, September 5. The logistics and compressed timeline make playing the starters an unnecessary risk that could compromise the season.
The injury situation adds another layer of caution. The Chargers have already suffered a significant loss for the 2025-26 season, losing Rashawn Slater shortly after he became the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Without their best offensive lineman protecting the pocket, Harbaugh may want to shield Herbert, his most valuable asset, as much as possible.
Why Is Trey Lance’s Matchup Against His Former Team So Important?
No storyline carries more intrigue than Trey Lance’s reunion with the San Francisco 49ers. This is the team that drafted him third overall in 2021 and, just two years later, traded him to one of their biggest rivals to make room for a seventh-round quarterback as their starter.
When asked about the game, Lance kept things low-key, saying he plans to approach it like any other matchup.
“Same as I’ve approached these other ones. Just trying to build on it, build on what we’ve done these first three and come out with the win,” Lance said.
Lance never got a full opportunity to develop with the 49ers. An injury in Week 2 of the 2022-23 season sidelined him for the year, opening the door for Brock Purdy to step up. Purdy’s seamless performance made it impossible for the franchise to part ways with him, ultimately leading to Lance’s departure.
Now, with the Chargers, Lance is experiencing his best stretch as a pro, shining in the preseason and showing he’s a more mature quarterback ready for the NFL’s pace. The reunion with Shanahan and the 49ers represents the perfect opportunity to cap off his memorable 2025 preseason.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET.
