Record-setting ironman streak ends for Thomas

The last great hope for the Cleveland Browns faded Sunday. Rock-hard and shatterproof, Joe Thomas missed an offensive play, and he’s going to miss many more.

Cleveland’s ironman left tackle sustained a serious injury to his left triceps and could miss the rest of another losing season by the Browns.

The 10-time Pro Bowler had played 10,363 consecutive snaps when he was forced to leave the field in the third quarter of a 12-9 overtime loss to Tennessee.

The sight of Thomas curled in a ball and yelling in agony was unnerving for everyone.

“It’s kind of unbelievable,” said Browns guard Joel Bitonio. “I thought he was a superhuman, where nothing could happen to him. There were about 30 seconds out there where I teared up. It’s tough because he’s the best player on our team.”

Thomas is more than that. He’s the face of franchise, and the embodiment of a pro’s pro, a player beyond reproach on and off the field.

“It was a routine run play. I’ve done it a million times,” he said. “It was probably a freak injury. It’s a violent game, and these type of things happen.”

The No. 3 overall pick in 2007, Thomas had been virtually indestructible during his 11 seasons.

He has played through injuries and his consecutive snaps streak is believed to be the longest in league history. The NFL did not officially track snap counts until 1999.

“Getting over that 10,000 milestone without missing a play is something that I always feel like I will be able to hang my hat on,” he said. “Those type of streaks are going to come to an end. It was not an infinity streak. There was going to be a time when it came to an end either because of injury or just lack production . ... It was just matter of time.”

ANTHEM PROTESTS >> Days after the NFL declined to change its rule on the national anthem, about two dozen players protested around the league on Sunday.

Associated Press writers counted 22 players protesting during anthems before day games. Some took a knee, others sat on the bench, stayed in the tunnel or raised a fist.

“There’s no question that the league is suffering negative things from these protests,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said.