New York Giants Add Former Broncos DT Marcus Thomas Due to Injuries to Line

The defensive tackles of the New York Giants have not had a good start to training camp.

Chris Canty is still recovering from offseason knee surgery, and his status for the season is still unknown.

Shaun Rogers is out for the season due to a blood clot in his leg.

Marvin Austin has been bothered by a sore back, and he's going for further testing.

That leaves Linval Joseph, veteran Rocky Bernard and rookie Markus Kuhn, which isn't giving the Giants much depth down the middle.

So to provide help, the Giants have brought in former Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas on a one-year deal, according to Mike Garafolo of the Newark Star Ledger.

"

DT Marcus Thomas signs a one-year deal with the Giants, per source. #nyg

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 16, 2012"

Thomas was a fourth-round draft pick for Denver back in 2007 and started 11 games for the Broncos in 2011, but Denver failed to sign Thomas to a long-term deal, making the 26-year-old a free agent.

The need for defensive tackles for the Giants has become a great one due to all of the injuries in the summer.

With Thomas, the Giants get a younger player on the line with some size and is able to start for them if, and likely when, he makes the team.

At 6'3" and 315 pounds, Thomas can clog up the middle and stuff the run alongside of Joseph and whenever Canty returns from his knee surgery.

Thomas isn't a name that will be a headline-grabbing move, but that's Giants GM Jerry Reese for you.

He makes moves that will help the Giants in the short-term and the long-term, and he must see a big upside with Thomas, especially with Canty's knee being a problem.

If Thomas ends up being a force for the Giants, it only helps a defensive line that is already dominant and one of the best in the NFL.

I like the signing of Thomas for the Giants, and I think with him playing alongside of Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Jason Pierre-Paul, Thomas will help them create more pressure and either get to the ball or the quarterback more often.

No official word yet on if Thomas will be available for the Giants in their preseason game on Saturday against the New York Jets.

It'll be interesting to see how Thomas handles playing in New York and if he can be a force in 2012.

Stay tuned, Giants fans.