Last Thursday, when the streak was still alive, Joe Thomas drew attention as he made his way to his locker space in the Browns’ Berea complex with a shirtless torso. Dotting Thomas’ back and neck were perfectly circular purple bruises. It appeared as if Thomas had been beaten by some sort of spherical object. The conspicuous markings drew the attention of several veteran reporters.
Thomas explained the markings were the byproduct of a recovery measure called “cupping.” The ancient Eastern practice is designed to increase blood flow to sore and stressed muscles and to accelerate healing. It works by placing cups on the skin’s surface and then administering suction via pumps.