Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, January 4, 2026, 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Network: CBS
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert
Trey Lance: SIT
Justin Herbert has already been declared out for Sunday. Trey Lance is Trey Lance.
Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End
Omarion Hampton: SIT
Kimani Vidal: SIT
Quentin Johnston: SIT
Keenan Allen: SIT
Ladd McConkey: SIT
Oronde Gadsden: SIT
Omarion Hampton missed practice for a second time this week Thursday, and his status for Sunday is in serious doubt. Even if he’s able to start, no Chargers should be started anywhere in Week 18. Los Angeles is locked into a wild-card spot regardless of the outcome, and with Herbert already sitting, it’s likely any starters who play will see limited time.
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Chargers: SIT
Starters playing limited snaps in a meaningless game include the defense, too.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: START (in Superflex), borderline QB1
Bo Nix put up another solid yet unspectacular performance against the Chiefs, leading Denver to the W but failing to throw for multiple touchdowns for the sixth time in his last seven games. The problem is similar to my hesitation to start Nix against Kansas City. The Chargers are locked into a wild-card spot, have injuries galore, and have little to no motivation to trot out anything other than their JV squad. With the Chargers using Week 18 as essentially a bye, how much will the Broncos really have to do on offense? Both teams may be content with a low-scoring, run-the-ball-and-chew-the-clock type of game. It’s something to consider if you have other viable options.
Running Back
RJ Harvey: START, RB1
RJ Harvey handled 14 carries for 43 yards and added five receptions on six targets for 33 yards and a score against the Chiefs, and could be in line for a dense workload as Denver tries to lock up the AFC’s top seed. The Chargers are essentially mailing it in for Week 18, and the game could be in hand rather quickly. Denver has to win to clinch the No. 1 seed, so it will likely keep starters in the game, but could lean on Harvey to run the clock out.
Wide Receiver
Courtland Sutton: START, WR1
Pat Bryant: SIT
Troy Franklin: SIT
Courtland Sutton didn’t do much, but did see double-digit targets for the fourth straight game. He’s once again the unquestioned WR1 on this team. Troy Franklin had been a serviceable flex with Pat Bryant sidelined, but caught four passes for 17 yards against the Chiefs. The Broncos are in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but still have to win, so it’s unlikely they rest anybody. However, with the Chargers likely to start Lance and their starters probably not playing a full game, it could be a low-scoring affair, keeping me from starting any receiver other than Sutton.
Tight End
Adam Trautman: SIT
Evan Engram: SIT
Defense/Special Teams
Denver Broncos: START
Arguably the best defense in the NFL gets to face Lance. Lollllllllllllllllll.