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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Scott Tolzien (3) against the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL preseason football game in San Francisco, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012.(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

SANTA CLARA -- Need a pep talk for the often-panned fourth NFL exhibition game? Then the 49ers' Scott Tolzien is your guy.

"The public might see it as the last game before the big time, the regular season," Tolzien said in anticipation of Thursday's home game against the San Diego Chargers. "But it's such an important game for us younger guys, and guys trying to get a roster spot."

A year ago, when these same teams met in San Diego, Tolzien played quarterback for the Chargers as an undrafted rookie. He didn't survive the final cuts in San Diego, but that final audition caught the eye of the opposition and helped him land on the 49ers roster.

Now Tolzien is battling to retain his job as the No. 3 quarterback over Josh Johnson.

But Tolzien isn't just thinking about himself. He's relayed a "this-is-big-for-us" message to several rookies, including wide receivers A.J. Jenkins, Chris Owusu and Nathan Palmer.

To show how an exhibition finale can keep you employed -- with the 49ers or elsewhere -- look no further than Tolzien's Chargers farewell: 16 of 23 passing for 226 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

"That game was a big game for him because it basically got him a roster spot here," Palmer said. "Having that film out there is really important for young guys like myself."

Coach Jim Harbaugh said Tolzien was on the 49ers' radar ahead of that game, adding: "There were other factors in that decision."

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Tolzien's initial days as a 49er, he was recognized in the locker room as "the San Diego QB," Tolzien said.

Tolzien quickly earned respect by putting in long hours at the 49ers facility, even sleeping in the players' lounge for nearly two weeks.

"I had to learn a whole new playbook," Tolzien recalled. "I was behind the 8-ball. It's the start of the season, and you just got your playbook, especially here where's it's extensive. That was of premium importance.

"I was here late nights, so I figured why not just stay here?"

After a dazzling debut Aug. 10 against the Minnesota Vikings, Tolzien has gone on to produce a team-worst passer rating of 53.8 (15-of-26 passing for 123 yards with one interception).

Harbaugh said Alex Smith will start against the Chargers before the backups are summoned. The race for the No. 3 job was too close for Harbaugh to call after Sunday's exhibition win at Denver.

  • Wide receiver Mario Manningham is expected to miss Thursday's exhibition while attending his grandfather's funeral in Warren, Ohio. Gerald W. Simpson, 60, died of a heart attack Friday.

    Manningham did not attend Sunday's exhibition in Denver and is not expected to return to the 49ers until later



    this week. Manningham has played in only one exhibition, starting the Aug. 18 loss at Houston.

  • Outside linebacker Parys Haralson was not at the start of Tuesday's practice for unknown reasons. Also absent were wide receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr. (right ankle), running back Brandon Jacobs (left knee), outside linebacker Eric Bakhtiari (head) and fullback/defensive end Demarcus Dobbs (left leg).

  • Linebacker NaVorro Bowman and cornerback Chris Culliver returned to practice after missing time last week with knee injuries. Rookie outside linebacker Cam Johnson, who's been out nearly a month, also practiced.

  • Wide receiver Randy Moss declined to comment at his locker Tuesday, two days after his first start in a 49ers uniform. Moss hasn't given an extensive interview since July 27. A league spokesman said Moss is expected to comply next week with its regular-season media policy. That entails making himself available to local media one day during the week and postgame.

  • Palmer, an undrafted rookie out of Northern Illinois, said he was a "nervous wreck" Monday until he learned he wasn't among the 14 players released. "I wasn't scared I'd get cut, but you never know," Palmer said.

    For more on the 49ers, see Cam Inman's Hot Read blog at blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers.

    Thursday's Exhibition

    San Diego (3-0) at 49ers (2-1), 7 p.m. KBCW