CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Browns star tackle Joe Thomas is retiring after 11 NFL seasons.
The 10-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement, ending a career marked by durability and dominance.
Thomas was on the field for 10,363 consecutive plays before he suffered a torn triceps last season.
Thomas is one of just five players in league history to make the Pro Bowl in his first 10 seasons.
A person familiar with the situation says the team is expected to sign former Buckeye and free agent running back Carlos Hyde.
The team has an agreement with Hyde and was expected to finalize the deal when teams are permitted to announce them at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, the person said.
Hyde spent the past four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The former Ohio State standout has 21 career touchdowns in the NFL.
He’ll help the Browns replace Isaiah Crowell, who is expected to sign with the New York Jets.
With four trades before free agency kicked off, the Browns began rebuilding the NFL’s worst team.
Just hours after Thomas announced his retirement, the Browns, who went 0-16 in 2017, confirmed the acquisitions of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, wide receiver Jarvis Landry and cornerback Damarious Randall, after 11 seasons.
New Browns general manager John Dorsey also reached agreements on contracts with seven free agents, including two tackles.