Giants sign ex-Broncos DT Marcus Thomas

First the Giants brought in some young depth at defensive tackle to get them through the preseason. Then, Thursday, they brought in a veteran who likely will help them in the regular season.

Marcus Thomas, a free agent who played five seasons with the Broncos, was signed after a workout with the team earlier in the day. The 6-3, 307-pounder was a free agent who was not resigned by the Broncos this offseason. He played in 76 games with 34 starts. Last year he had a career-high 43 tackles despite missing four games with shoulder and groin injuries.

Thomas was the fourth defensive tackle added to the roster this week, but only the third to remain. After previously signing Carlton Powell and Oren Wilson, the Giants added Bobby Skinner yesterday morning. He practiced with the team but was waived to make room on the roster for Thomas in the evening.

The Giants also signed DB/KR Laron Scott Thursday.

To make room for the new guys, the Giants waived LB Clint Sintim after he failed his physical and waived/injured DE Justin Trattou (foot/heel).

Meanwhile, coach Tom Coughlin said DT Marvin Austin will require more tests on his back. "A lot of the early symptoms are no longer there," Coughlin said, "but they're going to do another set of tests on him. We're hoping that within a reasonable amount of time he can come back and play."

Austin will not be available for Saturday's game against the Jets.

Nicks in padsWR Hakeem Nicks (foot) won't be able to practice with the team fully until Monday, but Thursday he was very nearly at that point. Nicks was in shoulder pads with the rest of the squad, running routes and catching passes during drills. The only thing he did not participate in was any full team work. Nicks broke a bone in his foot in May that required surgery and he had been on PUP until he was taken off it earlier this week.

Giant steps

LT Will Beatty was "back on the shelf" after a check-up on his back that has been bothering him all preseason, Coughlin said. "They evaluated him . . . they felt like if he kept going the way he is right now he would have only gotten worse and worse," Coughlin said . . . Coughlin said the starters will play between 25 and 30 snaps against the Jets . . . S Tyler Sash and TE Bear Pascoe got in a fight late in practice yesterday, and Coughlin did not appreciate it. "It wasn't necessary," he said. "I don't want to see anybody get hurt. I've had too many experiences where somebody does something stupid and then can't play."