Charger Notebook : Pass Rusher Williams Expected to Sign Today

Defensive end Lee Williams, the Chargers’ top pass rusher the last three seasons and a holdout since the begining of training camp, is expected to sign a contract today and begin practicing with the team, his agent, Steve Feldman, said Tuesday.

Williams is expected to arrive in San Diego this morning from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and meet with Charger officials, according to Feldman and Steve Ortmayer, Charger director of football operations.

“If everything written on the contract meets with everything we’ve agreed on (verbally), we’ve got a deal,” Feldman said. “Lee’s anxious to get (to San Diego) and get started.”

Although Ortmayer said he and Feldman had reached a verbal agreement, he said: “I’m not relieved. I wanted him in here two weeks ago.”

Without Williams and defensive lineman Joe Phillips, another holdout, the Chargers’ didn’t figure to have much of a pass rush this season.

Williams led the Chargers last season with eight sacks; Phillips was second with five.

Phillips still hasn’t reached an agreement with the Chargers. Ortmayer said nothing is new concerning his situation.

The Chargers had recorded six sacks in their first two exhibition games.

Steve Fuller, the Chargers’ No. 4 quarterback, was absent from practice again Tuesday, and Coach Al Saunders said Fuller is still taking time to consider his future.

Fuller also was given permission by the team to miss practice on Monday.

San Francisco 49er Coach Bill Walsh said Joe Montana will start in Saturday night’s exhibition game against the Chargers in San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Montana will play the first half, Steve Young will play the third quarter and John Paye will play the fourth, Walsh said.

Montana, according to Walsh, has maintained his starting quarterback job ahead of Young. Montana was replaced by Young during the 49ers’ opening-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Vikings last December and had even been rumored to be coming to the Chargers during the off-season.

“Right now, there’s no chance that either of them would be traded,” Walsh said.

Montana is 14 for 19 for 201 yards in exhibition games. Young has completed 22 of 44 passes for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns.

“Joe has been excellent and has established himself as the starter,” Walsh said.

Walsh also said that former Charger wide receiver Wes Chandler is playing well and could be considered for a starting job with the 49ers.

Chandler is competing with former Raider receiver Dokie Williams and the incumbent Mike Wilson.

“Wes is on that bubble,” Walsh said. “It could go either way with him.”

Chandler is listed No. 2 on the 49er depth chart at split end, behind Wilson. Jerry Rice, of course, has the starting flanker position locked up.

The Chargers made two more cuts Tuesday, releasing veteran wide receiver Kevin House and free-agent linebacker Stacey Price.

House, who played with the Rams last season, joined the Chargers early in training camp. He caught 2 passes for 26 yards during the Chargers’ first two exhibition games.

House has played in the National Football League for eight seasons. In 1984, he caught 76 passes for 1,005 yards for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Price joined the Chargers last season during the strike but was cut when the regular players returned.