Former Alabama Receiver Cleared for Action After Battling Leukemia

John Metchie III was sidelined for his entire rookie year after receiving a leukemia diagnosis but he's been medically cleared to return to football for year two.

Joe Gaither | Jul 26, 2023

Former Alabama Receiver Cleared for Action After Battling Leukemia /

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Alabama Crimson Tide

The National Football League opened up training camp on Wednesday as the new season is officially beginning. Excitement is in the air and hope springs eternal as 32 franchises dream of a successful season.

However, for Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III, just getting to the practice field marks this season as a victory.

"He's cleared, he's ready to practice. So we're going to take it one day at a time," said Houston's general manager Nick Caserio before practice Wednesday. "I'm sure he's anxious and excited just to be back on the field. I don't think anybody's ready for Week 1. So hopefully we've just got to get through today and training camp and get ready to go."

The former Alabama wide receiver was drafted in the second round by the Texans in the 2022 draft but has yet to take an NFL snap. Unfortunately he had to miss his entire rookie season after receiving a leukemia diagnosis.

Metchie III battled Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and won and has now been cleared to resume his athletic career and return to the Texans.

John Metchie is cleared for Training Camp 🥷 pic.twitter.com/jnkAI10v2X
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 26, 2023

Houston turned in the worst record in the NFL last season and parlayed that into a new head coach and two exciting rookies in DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson respectively.

Metchie's return is much needed as the wide receiving core in Houston is rather abysmal with just veteran Robert Woods providing production.

The climb out of the NFL's cellar may be long, but Metchie's return to the field will help the Texans offense find its footing in 2023.

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