Texans' John Metchie III 'Extremely Excited' About Potential Debut

Could Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III make his long-awaited NFL debut this week?

There's excitement building inside Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III about what may await him this weekend, but he's trying just to keep his head down and not think too much about it. 

Here's the reality: Metchie missed the entirety of what would have been his rookie season as he battled leukemia and recovered from a torn left ACL that he sustained in December of 2021 while playing collegiately for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. A hamstring strain held him out of a Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but with his return to practice this week, Metchie may finally suit up for the Texans in a meaningful game on Sunday. 

"I'm extremely excited, but I can't get too ahead of myself," Metchie told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. "I just have to be patient, that's kind of the biggest thing. Although I'm really excited, I gotta be patient and be ready whenever my number is called." 

Could John Metchie III make his NFL debut this weekend for the Houston Texans? (USA Today)

Do you know who else is probably "extremely excited" about the possibility of Metchie making his NFL debut this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts? General manager Nick Caserio, coach DeMeco Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, and quarterback C.J. Stroud. 

While the game was probably closer than the final score indicated, the Texans lost 25-9 in Week 1 and clearly were undermanned on the offensive side of the ball. 

Caserio used a second-round pick on Metchie in the 2022 NFL Draft, even aware that the ACL injury could limit him in his rookie season. Obviously, the leukemia diagnosis was shocking, and thankfully, the 23-year-old has made a full recovery. Now, it's fair to remind you that this is a receiver who had 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season at Alabama. He could become a building block for the Texans if he's able to remain healthy. 

Metchie, though, is taking things in stride. It's been so long since he's played in a meaningful football game that it probably will be a "believe-it-when-I-see-it" type situation. 

"Patience has definitely been a theme for me and it's been something that I've had a lot of practice within the last year, of course," Metchie said. "So it's just remaining consistent, knowing that I just have to make the decision to keep showing up and that the time will come, just gotta be ready."