EREA, Ohio —
Joe Thomas has never missed a snap for the
Cleveland Browns, but he knows when he’s injured.
“I’ve been hurt enough to know when you are really hurt and when you are OK,” Thomas said.
One might fairly follow with the question: How does a guy whose never been injured know when he is injured?
How does a guy who has never been hurt in the NFL, who has never missed a start at any level since he started playing football in seventh grade, how does that guy know when he’s injured?
ESPN.com. In that story, he even revealed he had an LCL injury in the final game of a season and he’d have missed a month had it not been the season finale.
How does Thomas gut out three torn medial collateral ligaments?
“You just suck it up,” he said. “You’re a lineman.”
The conversation developed from talking about his near-injury in Monday’s practice when the back of his leg was rolled up on. He let out a scream when it happened, but said once he stood up and walked he knew nothing serious was wrong. As for past injuries, Thomas does have a line he will not cross, and that is ensuring playing with the injury does not risk further injury.
If he can play and not risk long-term damage he will, even if it’s an MCL.
“The great part about the MCL is it heals itself,” Thomas said. “You don’t need surgery, unless it’s really bad.”
Thomas’ matter-of-fact attitude about injury and his play remains as refreshing as any player’s in the league.
Thomas has every reason not to play in the preseason opener -- he really doesn’t need the game time, after all -- but he said he’d like to play because he thinks if everyone else is healthy and playing he should too.
Asked if he knows much about the team’s offensive identity, Thomas candidly said: “We don’t know anything yet. We definitely need some more live situations.”
Asked if he’d be extra cautious this offseason given his leg got rolled up, Thomas said: “I wouldn’t say that because I think I’m already cautious in preseason. I think everyone that’s more established kind of knows the real money is made during the season.”
This could be the most real player in the league.
And one of the most professional. Thomas says his consecutive play streak is an element of pride, but not to the point that it’s like Cal Ripken’s consecutive innings streak in Major League Baseball.
“I think there’s a pride factor,” he said. “I think just my mentality growing up … not that you’d be quitting, but if I can go I’m going to go because I’ve never quit on anything in my life. Certainly I wouldn’t quit on my teammates.”