Why Justin Herbert Played ONLY 3 Snaps vs. 49ers
Justin Herbert’s Super Quick Preseason Debut: What Happened in Just Three Plays
The Big Picture: A Very Short Night for the Star Quarterback
Imagine you’re at a football game, you blink, and suddenly the starting quarterback is already done for the night. That’s basically what happened when the Los Angeles Chargers played the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason game on Thursday night.
Justin Herbert—the Chargers’ franchise quarterback—took the field for the very first time with new offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel. But his "debut" lasted only three snaps (that’s football talk for "three plays"). Then he was done for the night.
IMPORTANT POINT:
Preseason games are like practice games—they don’t count toward the regular season record. Teams use them to evaluate players, test new strategies, and get guys ready without risking injuries. Star players often play very little or not at all.
The Three Plays: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Here’s exactly what happened on Herbert’s only drive of the game:
1⃣ First Play: A Running Back Takes a Hit
- Who: Running back Omarion Hampton (a rookie)
- What happened: He took the handoff and tried to run forward
- Result: Lost 1 yard (moved backward)
- Down & Distance: Now 2nd down and 11 yards to go
2⃣ Second Play: Herbert Makes a Play on the Move
- Who: Justin Herbert throwing to tight end Charlie Kolar
- What happened: Herbert rolled out to his left (ran sideways before throwing)
- Result: Complete for 9 yards — a nice gain!
- Down & Distance: Now 3rd down and 2 yards to go (close to a first down)
3⃣ Third Play: The Incomplete Pass Ends the Drive
- Who: Herbert targeting wide receiver Ladd McConkey downfield
- What happened: The pass was "well off" — meaning it wasn’t close to catchable
- Result: Incomplete — drive over
- Field Position: Chargers ball at their own 43-yard line
4⃣ The Punt
- Since it was 4th down and they didn’t get the first down, the Chargers punted (kicked the ball away to the other team)
What Happened Next?
After that quick three-and-out (that’s when an offense gets the ball and goes three plays without a first down), Trey Lance came in to play quarterback for the Chargers’ next drive.
IMPORTANT POINT:
Trey Lance is a backup quarterback who previously played for the 49ers. Getting him game reps is one of the main purposes of preseason!
Why This Matters (Even Though It Was Only Three Plays)
| Reason | Why It’s Interesting |
|---|---|
| New Play-Caller | Mike McDaniel is known for creative offense — this was our first tiny glimpse |
| Chemistry Check | Herbert to Kolar worked; Herbert to McConkey didn’t — small sample but real reps |
| Health Check | Herbert got hit zero times and looked healthy — huge win for Chargers fans |
| Rookie Debut | Omarion Hampton got his first NFL carry (even if it lost a yard) |
Summary: The TL;DR Version
- Justin Herbert played 3 snaps in his first preseason game with new play-caller Mike McDaniel
- Drive result: Three-and-out (no first down, had to punt)
- Play 1: Hampton run for -1 yard
- Play 2: Herbert 9-yard completion to Kolar on a rollout
- Play 3: Incomplete deep pass to McConkey
- Trey Lance replaced Herbert for the next drive
- Bottom line: Herbert looked healthy, got a few live reps, and exited unscathed — mission accomplished for a preseason game!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did Herbert only play three plays?
Preseason games are for evaluation, not winning. The coaching staff saw what they needed: Herbert healthy, executing the play calls, and getting a couple live reps. No need to risk injury.
Who is Mike McDaniel and why does he matter?
Mike McDaniel is the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator (play-caller). He came from the Miami Dolphins where he designed a very creative, fast-paced offense. This was the first time we saw his play-calling with Herbert.
What’s a "three-and-out"?
When an offense gets the ball, runs three plays, fails to get a first down (10 yards), and has to punt. It’s the quickest way an offensive drive can end.
Is Trey Lance the new starter?
No. Lance is the backup. He’s getting playing time in preseason to stay sharp and show what he can do. Herbert is the undisputed starter.
When does the real season start?
The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off in early September. Preseason games (usually 3 per team) happen in August. This game was just practice!
Preseason football: where the stats don’t count, the starters barely play, but we all watch anyway because we missed football!