John Metchie III has had a long and tough journey as he is set to make his debut with the Houston Texans (0-1) on Sunday at home versus the Indianapolis Colts (0-1) in Week 2, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver was drafted by Houston in the second round; 44th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Three months later, he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and forced to sit out his rookie season.

 

He was cleared to participate in the Texans’ training camp one year after being diagnosed.

Metchie missed Houston’s first game of the season due to a hamstring injury. The Texans lost on the road to the Baltimore Ravens 25-9 as the offense struggled to drive the ball down the field. Nico Collins was the leading receiver for the Texans with 6 receptions for 90 yards.

The Texans are facing the Indianapolis Colts in a critical battle in the AFC South Division. The Colts are coming off a 31-21 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In his 3 seasons at Alabama, Metchie caught 155 receptions for 2,081 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was the second receiver drafted out of Alabama in the 2022 NFL Draft after Jameson Williams was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the 12th overall pick.