Joe Thomas has earned days off this season

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas will be getting certain days off throughout the 2016 season.

The Cleveland Browns made a great choice by electing not to trade Joe Thomas during the team’s rebuild. Thomas has been a member of the Browns for the entirety of his nine-year career and has yet to miss a snap.

It is surprising that Thomas has been able to stay healthy given all the time he has been on the field, so it makes sense he will be receiving some days off this year.

An article on ESPN.com by Pat McManamon explains the situation of Thomas getting some time off in 2016:

"That veteran would be left tackle Joe Thomas, a future Hall of Famer and a guy who has not missed a snap while making the Pro Bowl nine times in his nine-year career. But he practiced every other day in OTAs, and will miss a day a week during the season. Two or three years ago, Thomas and the team’s medical staff came to an understanding. If the team wanted him on Sunday, it would have to give during the week. A left tackle’s body can only take so many snaps and hits, and Thomas wants to make sure he’s there when it matters."

This is a smart move by both Thomas, who realizes he needs to take some days off to focus on his health, and also by Hue Jackson, who understands the need for Thomas to get some breaks during the season.

There are some coaches who may fine or speak out against players wanting to take days off during the season, but Jackson is too smart for something like that to be the case.

Thomas needs to be around to anchor an offensive line that lost both Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz in free agency. He will also be tasked with keeping presumptive starting quarterback Robert Griffin III healthy in his attempt to rejuvenate his career.

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The only way Joe Thomas can even think of taking care of someone else is if he takes care of himself first.