Today was a rough day for the Giants' defensive tackle corps and Tom Coughlin indicated that the team was looking to add a body. It appears as though they did this evening.

The Giants have signed defensive tackle Carlton Powell, according to a tweet from his agent Jason Bernstein.

Powell, a 2008 fifth-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos out of Virginia Tech, ruptured his Achilles tendon during the offseason before the start of his rookie year and was waived without playing a game.

He has since been with five teams -- the Cleveland Browns, a second stint with the Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons. He was also invited to a Carolina Panthers minicamp in May.

He has appeared in just three games during his career, all with the Falcons last year, and has one career tackle to his credit. Listed at 6-foot-3, 312 pounds, Powell finished last season on the Falcons' practice squad.

The decision to sign Powell comes after a slew of injuries to Giants defensive tackles.

In addition to Chris Canty's uncertain status due to offseason knee surgery that has him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and a nagging knee problem for Rocky Bernard, Coughlin today announced that Shaun Rogers will miss the season due to a blood clot in his calf.

That was in addition to the news that Martin Parker will miss the season due to a herniated disc in his back and Marvin Austin, who missed his rookie season due to a pectoral injury, also has a back injury. A few players blamed the run of back injuries on the uncomfortable dorm beds at training camp.

Someone informed of Austin's symptoms said his back locked up on him on Monday. The person, who requested anonymity because tests are ongoing and could continue tomorrow said the initial hope is it was merely a minor muscular injury and not a spinal condition.

The Giants tried to make a move yesterday and claimed defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron off waivers, but so did four other teams and the Browns were awarded Cameron because they had the worst 2011 record of the five clubs.

Jorge Castillo: jcastillo@starledger.com; twitter.com/jorgeccastillo