Justin Herbert Benched, DJ Uiagalelei Makes NFL Debut as Chargers Fall to 0-8 in Loss to Texans

DJ Uiagalelei made his NFL debut on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Chargers quarterback, who went undrafted out of Florida State, came in for Justin Herbert late in the fourth quarter as his team trailed big against the Houston Texans after Herbert went to the medical tent with an apparent hand injury.

Uiagalelei's first drive ended with a touchdown pass.

Uiagalelei finished his first NFL game with 24 yards and a touchdown on 2-of-7 passing in a 44-22 loss.

It had been another rough day for Herbert before he exited, as he had just 193 yards, a touchdown and an interception, continuing what has been a rough stretch for the veteran.

Herbert came into the game with 1,398 passing yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Before Sunday, he hadn't thrown a touchdown pass since Week 5.

The prospect of Uiagalelei taking the starting job from Herbert would have sounded like a joke coming into the season, but nothing is out of the realm of possibility amid an 0-8 start.

The Chargers' hopes of reaching the playoffs are essentially over at this point, but bringing in a new starting quarterback could give the team a spark heading into the second half of the season.

Uiagalelei had a five-year college career with Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State, though he never quite lived up to the hype he had coming into college. After going undrafted in 2025, he signed with the Chargers but didn't make the 53-man roster. He spent last season on the team's practice squad.

Over the offseason, he competed for the backup position behind Herbert but ultimately lost to Trey Lance and started the year on the practice squad.

After Lance was placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury in September, Uiagalelei was promoted to the active roster, paving the way for him to serve as Herbert's backup.

It's unclear whether the injury Herbert suffered on Sunday was serious, but if it is, Uiagalelei will have to step up and salvage what is left of the Chargers' season.