Chargers Cuts: DE Jacques Cesaire, FB Jacob Hester highlight cuts

The Chargers will officially announce their cuts at 6 p.m. PT, but a few names are starting to trickle out.

By Dan McLellan

Aug 31, 2012 at 7:33 pm ET • 1 min read

There were a few heavy hearts with the announcement of the Chargers' final 53-man roster Friday. DE Jacques Cesaire and FB Jacob Hester, two of the most treasured personalities on the team, were released. But overall there were few surprises.

Notable cuts: DE Jacques Cesaire (10th year, Southern Connecticut State) -- Originally an undrafted free agent, he had spent his entire career with the Chargers. Cesaire developed into a leader on the field, in the locker room and in the community. Unfortunately, there simply was no longer room for him. San Diego has been going with a youth movement with the additions of DE Corey Liuget (round one, 2011) and DE Kendall Reyes(Round two, 49th overall pick). FB Jacob Hester (5th season, 3rd round in 2008, LSU) -- He is one of the most well liked players in the organization, but FB Le’Ron McCLain (free agent, Chiefs) will replace him. Coach Norv Turner described both Cesaire and Hester as family.

Complete cut list

ILB Bront Bird (2nd year, undrafted free agent, Texas Tech); Anthony Davis (8th season, undrafted in 2003, Virginia Tech) and Mario Henderson(5th year, 3rd round in 2007, Florida State); DE Jacques Cesaire (10th year, undrafted in 2003, Southern Connecticut State); FB Jacob Hester (5^th season, 3rd round in 2008, LSU); K Nick Novak (5th season, undrafted in 2005, Maryland); RB Edwin Baker (7th round, 250th overall); C Colin Baxter (2nd season, undrafted, Arizona); G-T Charlie Bryant (2nd season, undrafted, Memphis); OLB Ricky Elmore (rookie, undrafted, Arizona); OLB Darryl Gamble (2nd season, undrafted, Georgia); Greg Gatson (rookie, undrafted, Arkansas); DE Logan Harrell (rookie, undrafted, Fresno State); CB Arthur Hobbs (rookie, undrafted, Nebraska-Kearney); QB Jarrett Lee (rookie, undrafted, LSU); P Robert Malone (2nd season, undrafted in 2010, Fresno State); DE Damik Scafe (2nd season, undrafted, Boston College); G-T Stephen Schilling (2nd season, 6th round in 2011, Michigan); TE Kory Sperry (4th season, undrafted in 2009, Colorado State); WR Mike Willie, (rookie, undrafted, Arizona State).