COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Losing cornerback Jason Verrett for the year with another knee injury was a big blow for the Los Angeles Chargers early this season.

A Pro Bowler, Verrett has the athletic ability to take over a game. But the TCU product's replacement, Trevor Williams, has been solid in Verrett's absence.

"He has exceeded expectations," Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said about Williams. "You try not to have any perceptions about guys, what they can and can't do, but he's a guy the coaching staff has built a great deal of confidence in. He's one of those guys where you say, 'All right, we don't worry about that.'"

Added coach Anthony Lynn: "Sometimes you don't even know he's on the field, which when you play the corner position that's a good thing. He's been solid this past month. [Chargers defensive backs coach] Ron Milus has done a really nice job with him."

Williams took over as the starter in Week 2 after Verrett opted for surgery to fix his balky knee.

Through six games, Williams has 24 combined tackles, five pass breakups and an interception.

And he's lined up all over the field. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williams has played 170 defensive snaps at his customary position as the right cornerback, 77 at the left cornerback and 44 as the slot defender.

Williams joined the Chargers as an undrafted rookie out of Penn State last season, spending a majority of the season on the practice squad. Because of injuries, he was promoted to the active roster in Week 5 and played in 12 games, starting five and finishing with 31 tackles and five pass breakups.

"Being my first year last year, it took awhile for me to get used to the speed of the game," Williams said. "In high school and college, Year 2 was always a better year for me. Coach Gus, he does a great job game-planning, calling up schemes and putting us in better position."

One of the question marks for Williams heading into this season was would he be a fit in Bradley's Seattle Cover 3 scheme that relies heavily on press man techniques. But at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, Williams has played physical at the line of scrimmage and for the most part plastered receivers down the field, giving up few big plays.

"I think the big thing for him is can he stay true to it?" Bradley said. "Because sometimes what can happen with corners is, they do things well, and then they want to start big-play hunting, and they get away from it to try to make a play now. If he stays true to it, the plays will come, and when he gets his opportunity, he'll make them."