Could Texans WR John Metchie III Return Sooner Than Expected?

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III has made a remarkable recovery since being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Matt Galatzan | Jan 11, 2023

After being selected with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Alabama's John Metchie III was expected to be a major part of the Houston Texan's plans this season.

However, in July those plans, and Metchie's life, were thrown a curveball when the talented 22-year-old was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia.

Following the diagnosis, Metchie's life was suddenly on the line, and he was forced to sit out the entirety of the 2022 season while undergoing treatment.

During a recent interview with Sports Radio 610 in Houston, however, it appears that Metchie's recovery has gone as well as could be expected, and he is remarkably on track to return to the field for workouts this offseason.

"I'd say there's a chance that he'll be ready for the start of the offseason program," Caserio said. "I think there are still some things that he has to complete or go through. Quite frankly, it's amazing what he's done to this point."

Upon his selection, Metchie was thought of as one of the top wide receivers prospects in the 2022 draft class and was a force to be reckoned with in Tuscaloosa.

In fact, during his final campaign with the Tide, Metchie hauled in 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, being named second-team All-SEC, and winning the Jon Cornish Trophy for the second year in a row.

But, according to Caserio, Metchie looks even better now than he did upon his selection.

"He actually looks better now than he did when we drafted him in the spring," Caserio said. "He's improved his strength, he's improved his lower body strength. His attitude has been great, even though he's been dealing with a lot of things medically."

Undoubtedly, Metchie's story will be one to keep an eye on going forward.

Especially if he lives up to the lofty expectations that were placed on him before his original diagnosis.

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Published Jan 11, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com