Over the past decade, the Cleveland Browns have struggled mightily. Left tackle Joe Thomas has been constant. Until now, Thomas hasn’t missed so much as a single snap in his NFL career in Cleveland. The Browns’ premier left tackle exited Sunday’s game with an arm injury and did not return. For good reason.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cleveland is prepared for the news that Thomas has a torn triceps, and that he may not return this season.
#Browns LT Joe Thomas is feared to have a triceps tear, sources say. If the MRI confirms it Monday, it likely means season-ending surgery.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2017
Since the Browns took him with the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Thomas has been one of the game’s best players at one of its toughest positions. Thomas is from Brookfield, WI, and played collegiately for the Wisconsin Badgers.
10,363 consecutive offensive plays.
What an incredible streak for Joe Thomas. pic.twitter.com/IVwRN9zcWj
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 22, 2017
Thomas made headlines earlier this year when in regards to the study of CTE present in the brains of deceased football players, the Browns tackle said he already experiences memory loss.
If Joe Thomas does indeed need season-ending surgery, it seems likely the Browns will pick up another offensive linemen. Whether it be from the outside or from their own practice squad. Rookie Zach Banner is listed as the teams’ only backup offensive linemen. The 6-9, 358 lb. Banner played at USC. Marcus Martin, Austin Reiter, and Spencer Drango are the remaining offensive linemen on the Browns’ roster, though they all primarily play on the interior.
Thomas going down was injury on top of insult for the Browns, as it happened only a few plays after Cleveland QB DeShone Kizer was benched for the second time in three weeks. Kizer was 12-20 for 114 with two interceptions. He was replaced by Cody Kessler, who finished 10-19 for 121 yards and an interception of his own.
Cleveland ultimately lost Sunday in a field goal fest to the Tennesse Titans, 12-9 in overtime.
