Antoine Cason stood in unusual company at Tuesday's practice.

Starting at cornerback opposite him, there was an undrafted rookie. Starting at nickelback, there was an undrafted rookie. Rotating off the bench, there was an undrafted rookie.

The Chargers have four veteran cornerbacks on their roster, and lately, all but Cason have been sidelined with hamstring injuries. That leaves Cason with the first-year players, which could be the arrangement Thursday when the Chargers meet the 49ers in the preseason finale.

The statuses for Quentin Jammer, Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright are all in question. They also missed last week's preseason game against the Vikings.

"It definitely does make it a little different," Cason said. "I'm helping those guy out as much I can. ... They look to me for different things, and I'm OK with that. I really enjoy doing it."

There are seven total cornerbacks on the roster.

DeAndre Presley, Greg Gatson and Mount Miguel High grad Arthur Hobbs are the rookies who round it out.

They'll be busy Thursday.

"Those young guys are going to get a lot of reps," coach Norv Turner said. "We're short."

Presley was a quarterback, wide receiver and returner at Appalachian St. Aside from one college game at cornerback against Samford, Presley never played defense before he came to the Chargers.

He's come a long way.

"Securing my roster spot, that's the only goal for me," said Presley, who had an interception last week. "Come out Thursday and show our coaches and our team that I can play with these guys and that I belong here in the NFL. I belong here on this football team."

He's worked darn hard to be where he is at and I truly hope he makes the team. He has had a few times in the preseason he was beaten and turned but to go from the third place for the Walter Payton award to a cornerback in the NFL in just over a year of football is a huge transition and shows just what kind of athlete and person he is. He could have gotten all down in the dumps after he was removed from QB last year and just finished it out on the bench but he wanted on the field, no matter where. That's the kind of kid I would want on my team. You don't find heart like that in this day of prima donna athletes. I hope the San Diego coaches see that and give him a shot even after all their injuried players are back. He can do nothing but get better with time.

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Here's another one. DeAndre certainly speaks well. What a testament to hard work, flexibility, and perseverance! Thanks, DeAndre, for proving that those Yosef dollars really can change lives and for all your hard work and dedication.