John Metchie (hamstring) listed as DNP on Wednesday injury report

John Metchie III did not practice for the Houston Texans on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, according to the team’s initial Week 1 injury report.

Metchie had been dealing with a strained hamstring prior to training camp, but all signs pointed toward him making a complete recovery before the offseason came to its conclusion barring any setbacks. Unfortunately for Metchie, there was a setback and his status on Thursday will be very telling on whether or not he’ll be able to suit up on Sunday.

Injuries and illness have hindered Metchie throughout his football career. Even before being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Houston, Metchie tore his ACL at Alabama in December of 2021 — which was the last time he played in a football game. He missed all of last season after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

In early August, Metchie said that he felt fully healthy heading into the season.

“Yeah, I feel 110 percent, actually,” Metchie said, via NFL.com. “… I feel better now than I ever did in college, and I feel better than I was before I got diagnosed, so 110 percent, for sure.”

First it was the ACL, then the illness and finally hamstring issue — all of which came one after the other. During the few short weeks he was back on the field at full speed, the one word that came to his mind was “gratitude,” to play the game he loves, “worry-free.” Whether this issue persists throughout the season, or this week for that matter, remains to be seen for the former collegiate standout.

When he is able to get back onto the field, the player that put up 96 receptions, 1,142 receiving yards and eight touchdowns for the Crimson Tide during his junior season is expected to produce immediately under the new-look in Houston featuring 2023 No. 2 overall pick and franchise quarterback CJ Stroud.

The Texans and general manager Nick Caserio are understanding of that, and expect to see a better player as the season rolls on. 

“He’s worked really hard,” Caserio prior to the injury report, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. “He also looks like a football player that hasn’t played in 18 months. Attitude has been good. He’s made some plays. What he’s gone through, he’s a great story. Chance he’s a little bit better six, eight weeks down the road than now.”