The New York Giants took the first step of trying to fill the gap left in the defensive middle after releasing Chris Canty by re-signing Shaun Rogers on Thursday.

Rogers played in the team’s preseason opener last year but was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 31 with a blood clot in his leg.

The 6-4, 350-pound Rogers will try to help the Giants replace Canty, who was released on Wednesday. The Giants cut Canty, linebacker Michael Boley and running back Ahmad Bradshaw this week in an effort to create salary cap space and move in a different direction after missing the playoffs last season.

So let's take a quick look at what the Giants have on the roster as of now to replace Canty, Boley and Bradshaw:

DT: Rogers will compete with Marvin Austin and Markus Kuhn to start opposite Linval Joseph. Rocky Bernard, who was a valuable reserve this past season, is a free agent. The Giants still could draft a defensive tackle or sign another relatively cheap veteran.

LB: The natural candidate to replace Boley is Jacquian Williams. Mathias Kiwanuka could potentially play more defensive end so Spencer Paysinger could get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do in camp. And the Giants could re-sign Keith Rivers, who can fill the Boley role when healthy. Drafting or signing a free agent linebacker is a possibility.

RB: Is the coaching staff ready to hand over the load to David Wilson? Wilson was drafted in the first round to eventually replace Bradshaw. That time has come. Restricted free agent Andre Brown should also be in the mix pending his recovery from a broken leg. Da'Rel Scott could be the third back but the Giants could sign another veteran back.

Tell us what you think of the Rogers signing below and what you want to see the Giants do at DT, LB and RB.