Texans WR John Metchie III set for his NFL debut vs. Colts after missing his rookie season as he battled leukemia

Texans wideout John Metchie III is primed to make his long-awaited and emotional NFL debut after overcoming Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.

The 23-year-old, who was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2022 draft, missed his rookie season as he battled the disease.

But, according to ESPN, Metchie is set to make his regular-season debut on Sunday at NRG Stadium after being listed as ‘active’ against the Indianapolis Colts.

Metchie III returned for Houston on the team’s first day of training camp in late July. He was a full participant in the almost two-hour workout after being cleared of his diagnosis from last year.

Texans General manager Nick Caserio raved about the work Metchie put in to get back on the field after completing his cancer treatments. 

The 23-year-old was drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft

‘It just speaks to John’s mental and physical toughness, the way he’s wired,’ Caserio said. ‘He’s a pretty unique person. There’s not many people like John Metchie in this world, not many athletes that have had to endure some of the things that he’s had to go through.’ 

‘But it speaks to his perseverance… what he’s made of and the people around him.’ 

Caserio credited the team’s medical staff for helping Metchie work his way back after his difficult year.

Metchie has yet to speak to reporters, but he was all smiles on the field in preseason as he ran through drills and caught passes from quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, during training camp. 

‘Having Metchie out was awesome to see,’ coach DeMeco Ryans said in July. ‘He’s a guy who’s been through so much and… while no cameras are on him, he’s been putting in the work. It’s encouraging to see and I’m happy to have him out here and I’m honored to be his coach.’ 

The Texans selected Metchie in the second round of last year´s draft after he had 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021 for Alabama. That came after he had 55 receptions for 916 yards as a sophomore. 

While Metchie couldn’t play last season, he was never too far from the team. He was often seen around the facility and in the locker room throughout his rookie year.  

Metchie’s return will be a boost to Houston’s receiving group, which could use some depth after Brandin Cooks was traded to Dallas this offseason. 

Safety Jalen Pitre, who also was a second-round pick last season, faced Metchie in preseason practice and loves having him as a teammate. 

‘It’s really inspiring to see him fight back and do everything that he’s been doing,’ Pitre said. ‘He’s a guy that I want on my team because I know it’s no quit in a guy like that. He’s continuing to show up and continuing to fight. And that’s big for me.’