Former Alabama WR John Metchie III placed on Texans reserve/NFI list following leukemia diagnosis
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
John Metchie III received frightening news in July, as the former star Alabama wide receiver received a leukemia diagnosis. Fortunately, according to Metchie, the type he has – APL – is “the most curable”.
The Houston Texas rookie previously mentioned that he was unlikely to play in 2022 while he underwent treatment to remove the disease from his body. And on Tuesday, the Texans made the official announcement that he had been added to their reserve/non-football illness list.
Metchie, a 2nd-team All-SEC performer in 2021, was a 2nd round pick by Houston in the 2022 NFL Draft. As a junior at Alabama, he made 96 catches for 1,142 yards and 8 touchdowns. However, his season was cut short after suffering a tear of the ACL in his left knee during the SEC Championship against Georgia on Dec. 4.
As a sophomore in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game to end the 2020 season, he made 8 catches for 81 yards as the Crimson Tide won their 18th title.
Metchie’s return to the gridiron can’t come soon enough, but right now his main priority is beating leukemia. Here’s hoping he does just that.
We have placed WR John Metchie III on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness List.
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 23, 2022
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
