Giants DT Shaun Rogers out for season with leg problem despite losing 50 pounds

Giants defensive tackle Shaun Rogers will miss the remainder of the season because of a blood clot in his lower leg, coach Tom Coughlin said Tuesday. Rogers had dropped 50 pounds to make weight for training camp, so Coughlin was naturally upset about losing the 12-year veteran.

“It’s very sad,” Coughlin said, adding that Rogers was “very excited” about playing for the Giants and even checked in at 344 pounds, which obviously was a significant improvement.

“He got along really well with our defensive lineman,” Coughlin continued. “He actually asked to play some more snaps the other night, which I thought was really neat. And it’s just a shame.”

Coughlin explained that “you can’t take a chance” with something like blood clots, which is why Rogers had to be shut down for the season.

At the beginning of camp, Coughlin said he felt as though defensive tackle was one of the deeper positions, but admitted on Tuesday “it’s not that way right now.”

Chris Canty (knee) remains on PUP and Martin Parker, who traveled with Rogers to the Hospital for Special Surgery on Monday to be examined, will require back surgery on his herniated disc. Rocky Bernard has practiced for two consecutive days after missing Friday’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a swollen knee (he says he’s “alright”) and Marvin Austin is having his back examined.

“I’m praying that the phone call comes and it’s a good one, that it can be controlled and all that,” Coughlin said.

The Giants are in the process of working out free agents at defensive tackle, but it’s going to be hard to find anyone who can provide Rogers’ size and strength or Canty’s skill.

That leaves starter Linval Joseph, sixth-round pick Markus Kuhn and Dwayne Hendricks, who had two sacks against the Jaguars, as the logical replacements.

Hendricks, a native of Millville, NJ, was on the Giants’ 53-man roster for one week last season before returning to the practice squad, so he’s quite familiar with the defensive scheme. And, in addition to providing good size (6-3, 305 pounds), Hendricks has also received praise for his motor.

“I have just the utmost respect for that kid,” Coughlin said. “As a matter of fact, I use him as an example. If you’re going against him, you better be going full speed. He’s going to make you look bad.

“I love to see him play well in the games and like the other night, he’s smart enough to figure out how to beat somebody and he did that a couple of times the other night and made plays,” Coughlin continued.

Follow the New York Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSSportsNFLNYG and @AlexRaskinNYC.