Browns training camp Day 11: Joe Thomas is tougher than you

Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas (73) and Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz (72) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns had what was inarguably the best day so far in training camp on Tuesday in Berea.

And it was all thanks to Joe Thomas.

Thomas, the team’s Pro Bowl left tackle, on Monday let out the scream that was heard throughout Browns Nation (where, just like the former British Empire, the sun never sets), after 349-pound defensive tackle Danny Shelton rolled up on Thomas’ leg, forcing him out of practice.

But all is well, according to Thomas, leaving the Browns and their fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

“When you have 700 pounds falling on your leg, you are pretty concerned,” Thomas said after Tuesday’s practice. “But once I got up, I knew it wasn’t too bad. It is just about every year you get rolled up, but it is not always that the media and fans are at practice where they diagnose everything.”

During a session with the media, Thomas also talked about the reality of playing on the line in the NFL, revealing that he is one of the toughest players in the NFL. The eight-year veteran has suffered a trio of MCL tears and a pair of high ankle sprains since joining the Browns to go along with the torn ACL that occurred his junior year at Wisconsin.

But through it all, Thomas has always been there for game time.

“You suck it up. You’re a lineman,” Thomas said. “The great part about being a lineman is you need to be quick and fast, but you don’t need to be that quick and fast. If you lose a little bit because you’re hurting, you can make it up with technique.”

Next: Speaking of injuries