The Giants restructured cornerback Terrell Thomas’s contract Monday in order to keep him on their roster.

Thomas, who hasn’t played in two straight seasons thanks to ACL injuries, was due a $6 million contract bonus next month which the Giants did not want to pay. Instead, he signed a one-year deal, with unreleased terms. He was expected to be given his release had a restructuring not occurred.

“At this point, I don’t care if they move me to kicker,” Thomas said in a release Monday. “I just want to play football.”

He had signed a four-year, $28 million deal with $11 million guaranteed, in March 2012.

Thomas was drafted in the second round in 2008 by the Giants and immediately made an impact in the secondary. In his rookie season he played mostly in nickel and dime packages — though he did start two games — finishing the season with one interception and one forced fumble. He became a starter the following season, starting all 16 games and finishing with 85 tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He was so good he stole time away from incumbent starter Aaron Ross, who dealt with hamstring injuries much of the 2009 season. He also had five picks the following season, with a career-high four forced fumbles.

But he hasn’t been back on the field since.

He tore his ACL in back-to-back preseasons, but vowed he would return. He will have his chance in 2013, albeit with a smaller contract.

The ACL injury in 2012 was actually the third of his career. He originally tore his right ACL in college at USC in 2005. His third surgery came last September, so he expects to be ready to play by training camp in the fall.

“My knee feels great,” Thomas said Monday. “It was a little struggle at first. It was a little inconsistent with the swelling. But for the last month-and-a half I haven’t dealt with any swelling at all. It’s progressed the last two weeks since I started running. The doctors are really happy with the way I’m progressing. They had to increase my workload because it wasn’t enough.”

The Giants still have to make a decision on what to do with fellow cornerback Corey Webster, who has one year left on his contract. The team could save $7.25 million by cutting the corner, who had a disappointing 2012 season.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants wasted no time in getting down to business this offseason.

Just two days after the Super Bowl they cut veteran linebacker Michael Boley and followed that up a day later with star  Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty.
The team has many free agents though, including Victor Cruz, Will Beatty and Kenny Phillips. Metro looks at who else should be cut sooner rather than later:

> RT David Diehl
Why: Diehl, 33, has spent his entire 10-year career with the Giants. In seven of them he has started 16 games. But last year he played in 13 and started just 10 as he was moved to right tackle. The team needs to sign Beatty and can’t waste money on a veteran who is a backup at this point.

> CB Terrell Thomas
Why: Thomas hasn’t played in two years with serious knee injuries. Thomas has a salary bonus of $6 million due in March, so it’s hard to see them keeping a player who has barely played under such a large deal.

> CB Corey Webster
Why: Unlike Thomas, Webster has played and played well over his eight-year career, all spent in blue. He played well enough to earn a five-year, $43 million deal in 2008. But with only one year left, cutting him this offseason would save the team $7.25 million on their cap. That’s big money saved.

Who stays?

The Giants have to weigh who they can cut with who they are going to compete with going forward. So who should the team keep going into next season.

> S Antrel Rolle
Why: Rolle is not the player he was when the Giants signed him to a five-year, $37 million deal in 2010. He has two years remaining, though exactly how much money is left is unclear after he restructured the deal in 2011. It’s over $6 million though, which is a lot for a 30-year-old safety. And yet, as the unquestioned leader of the defense he needs to return in 2013.

> DT Justin Tuck
Why: Speaking of defensive leaders, Tuck is also a player who could be axed. Tuck’s base salary is $4.5 million (so his cap number is higher), but the defensive lineman has not had much impact recently. He only has nine combined sacks since 11.5 in 2010 alone, but the team needs bodies on the line.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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