Last week first-year Giants LB Keith Rivers started because Michael Boley was coming off a hamstring injury.

Each played well in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Rivers had seven tackles and Boley picked off QB Tony Romo in the first quarter. Ultimately though, a first-half hamstring injury limited Rivers to 24 total snaps, while Boley ended up on the field for 37 plays.

Now Rivers is trying to overcome a hamstring issue (he’s listed as “doubtful”) to play in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Boley is expected to start.

Boley said the increased workload isn’t an issue. He said his hamstring is fine and since he’s accustomed to playing on defenses with “thin linebacking cores,” he doesn’t see an issue with a larger snap count.

For Rivers, another issue is at play. He wants to be smart with his hamstring injury but he doesn’t want to lose playing time in the process.

“You don’t want to get left behind,” Boley said. “Doing my best day today to show that I can bounce back quickly. That’s the one thing you don’t want to let happen, to get left behind.”

Marvin Austin “probable” for first regular season game: The second-year defensive tackle has battled a back problem since training camp. After missing his rookie season with a pectoral injury, Austin could make his regular-season NFL debut on Sunday.

“I’m preparing as if I am,” he said Friday. “When the time comes, Coach [Tom] Coughlin will make the decision and either way I’ll be prepared. If I am active, I’ll be out there acting a fool -- a good fool that is.”

Austin insists he’s not letting his exuberance get the best of him. He’s stayed focused throughout the week and said he’s taken measures to ensure his preparation is where it should be.

Defensive tackles Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard combined for 105 snaps in Week 1 while backup Markus Kuhn saw 14 plays. Austin’s should provide some necessary relief for the Giants’ starters.

Center David Baas misses practice: Baas (hip) didn’t practice on Friday, but is listed as “probable” and said he took every mental rep.

When asked how his hip was doing, Baas snapped, “I’m good, go away.”

Baas was joking, but he really doesn’t like to discuss injuries.

He would, however, discuss the Buccaneers defensive line, which played very well against the Carolina Panthers last week, registering two sacks and yielding only 10 rushing yards.

“They’re good,” Baas said. “They do a lot of slanting, moving around. They try and confuse you. But I tell you what, if it comes down to good footwork and executing blocks, there’s opportunities there and we got to execute on those opportunities.”

Hakeem Nicks is questionable: Nicks’ surgically repaired right foot limited him to just one day of practice this week, but that’s not major news. He insists he’ll be playing Sunday.

Cornerback Prince Amukamara (ankle) is listed as questionable, while CB Michael Coe (hamstring), T James Brewer (back) and RB Da’Rel Scott (knee) are all probable.

Defensive end Adewale Ojomo (hamstring) is out.

Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSGiants and @AlexRaskinNYC.