DeMeco Ryans on John Metchie: Everything is on target

Houston Texans receiver John Metchie is “on target” for the start of training camp next month, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday.

“Everything is on target,” Ryans said, via KPRC 2 Houston. “I think Metchie will be good to go for training camp.”

Metchie is working his way back from a strained hamstring which he suffered in a work out on the practice field during the first phase of the Texans’ offseason program. Metchie missed his rookie campaign after being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) last July.

The 22-year-old has since been making steady progress to play football again, though the Texans aren’t setting any expectations on him.

“I’m not setting any expectations on Metch,” receivers coach Ben McDaniels said. “I certainly will not put any ceilings on him. He’s proved to everybody that’s unnecessary and he’ll attempt to shatter those ceilings. My expectations are high for him returning, whenever that is, and hitting the ground running.”

Metchie was a standout at Alabama — most notably during his junior season in 2021. He hauled in 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, making up one-half of one of the best receiving tandems in college football alongside Jameson Williams.

Metchie, however, tore his ACL during Alabama’s 41-24 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game. Prior to the injury, scouts rated Metchie as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Texans sent three picks to the Cleveland Browns to trade up and select him 44th overall in the second-round.

Texans encouraged by John Metchie’s progress

General manager Nick Caserio commended Metchie’s work ethic in putting himself in a position to return in 2023.

“Nobody’s worked harder to get himself to this point,” Caserio said after April’s NFL Draft. “I wouldn’t say anybody is surprised that he’s arrived at this point. I’d say his will to work, his effort, his mental and physical toughness, and his work with the sports performance staff have been incredible. There are a lot of people that deserve a lot of credit that has helped him get to this point.

“Start with John, I would say it’s kind of inspiring to see somebody do that. He’s making progress. He’s in a good spot. Haven’t been any setbacks. Still a long road ahead of us, and he hasn’t played a lot of football. We’re all certainly cautiously optimistic about where he’s headed.”