Canadian receiver John Metchie III is back on the field with the Houston Texans after missing the entirety of his rookie season while recovering from leukemia.
On Wednesday, the team released pictures of the 22-year-old catching passes and participating in drills during voluntary mini-camp. It marks his first time back with the team since being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia last July. Team officials have said he is doing well and is expected to be a full participant this season.
Amazing news of the day: John Metchie is taking part in @HoustonTexans off-season workouts!
Metchie missed his entire #NFL rookie season after being diagnosed with a form of leukemia last July.
Great to see him back on the field! 🇨🇦🙌
(📸@HoustonTexans) pic.twitter.com/7m09Go5b0E
— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) April 26, 2023
The Texans drafted Metchie in the second round, 44th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft after a stellar collegiate career at the University of Alabama and signed him to a four-year deal worth over $8 million. He was expected to start for the team last season before his diagnosis.
Metchie III first burst onto the NCAA scene in 2020 as a key component of an Alabama receiving group that featured two first-round picks, including Heisman winner DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. The six-foot, 195-pound native of Brampton, Ont. caught 55 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore, becoming the first Canadian in 17 years to win an NCAA national title.
Projected by many as a first-round pick entering the 2021 season, Metchie started 13 games for the Crimson Tide as a true junior and earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honours. He recorded a team-high 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, before suffering a torn ACL in his knee during the SEC Championship game and seeing his stock fall.
The two-time winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian player in the NCAA was expected to be medically cleared in time for training camp but never got the chance to prove his worth as a rookie. His return to the field should make him a top candidate for NFL Comeback Player of the Year entering the season.
