Steve Williams is considered the early favorite to serve as the Chargers' nickel corner in 2014.

Williams was having an impressive training camp as a rookie after being the 145th overall pick in last year's draft but suffered a torn pectoral in the preseason and missed the year. At 5-foot-9 and 181 pounds, he's probably limited to slot duties. The Chargers will look for an outside corner next week in the draft.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports the Chargers "think very highly of" second-year CB Steve Williams.

Williams was the 145th pick in last April's draft but missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the preseason. He was slated to assume nickel duties before the injury. At 5-foot-9, 181, Williams likely will be limited to covering the slot. CBs Richard Marshall and Crezdon Butler are free agents. 2013 free-agent bust Derek Cox is a strong candidate for release.

Chargers placed CB Steve Williams on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle, ending his season.

Williams was a fifth-round pick out of Cal this past April. He was showing well before getting injured and will return to compete for a job in 2014.

Chargers rookie CB Steve Williams is done for the season after tearing his pectoral muscle in Thursday night's preseason game.

San Diego is one of the shallowest teams in football at cornerback, so this is an under-the-radar loss. A fifth-round pick out of Cal, Williams was having a solid camp and slated to make the roster as the Bolts' No. 4 corner. That job will likely now come down to Marcus Cromartie and Greg Gatson.