More John Metchie? What’s WR’s Texans Role?

During training camp and preseason, the Houston Texans proved they will take their time working wide receiver John Metchie III into his role.

HOUSTON — Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III missed his entire rookie campaign in 2022 due to a diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. The news came amid Metchie's ongoing ACL rehab he sustained the injury during the 2021 SEC Championship Game.

The 2023 season was always a target for Metchie to return to the field. And now, Metchie Is a week away from playing in his first regular-season game. But despite the excitement, general manager Nick Caserio suggests it will take a while before Metchie showcases his talents.

"He’s worked really hard, (but) I’d say he also looks like a player who hasn’t played football in 18 months," Caserio said. "When you miss that amount of time it just sometimes takes maybe a little bit longer. 

"It’s a great story, no question about it."

At the start of training camp, coach DeMeco Ryans said it was "encouraging to see" Metchie as a daily participant at the Houston Methodist Training Center.

While splitting reps between the first and second teams, Metchie displayed the skill set that made him a highly-sought-after prospect. But the preseason also proved the Texans will take their time utilizing Metchie this season. 

He appeared in two out of the Texans' three preseason games. With limited snaps, he recorded two catches for 10 yards. Metchie was inactive during the Texans' preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints.

 "When you miss that amount of time – it’s just like your team. You’re evaluating your team in the first four weeks," Caserio said. "(We) love John and love having him here and excited for the opportunity in front of him and now it’s going to be about production and what everyone does with those opportunities."

Caserio has a deep appreciation for the team's sports performance staff for helping Metchie return to the field. Since OTAs in May, Ryans has described Metchie as an outstanding young man with a big smile and great energy every moment he is around the team.

The Texans drafted Alabama's Metchie in the second round (pick No. 44) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Metchie established himself as arguably the top wide receiver in the SEC in 2021, where he helped 'Bama to a 13-2 record in his final season, with 96 catches for a career-best 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.

More of the same can be on the horizon in Houston … with time.