Texans HC DeMeco Ryans praises John Metchie's work ethic amid return to football

John Metchie is back on the practice fields and competing as if the past year never happened. He’s gone from being treated for leukemia to running extra routes after practice.

New Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Thursday that the second-year receiver is showing off a terrific work ethic.

“John Metchie’s demeanor hasn’t changed,” Ryans said of the former Alabama star. “He hasn’t changed. He’s the same. (And) he’s consistent, he’s positive, he’s a hard worker. Whenever he’s out here at practice, he’s giving everything he has. He stays after practice and gives extra. He’s trying to perfect his craft. And we’re so excited with his mentality and his work ethic.”

#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on demeanor and professionalism of John Metchie III @IiiMetchie @KPRC2 @WME_Sports pic.twitter.com/HnF7glXm3q

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 3, 2023

John Metchie said he feels grateful he can play football again

John Metchie also spoke to reporters on Thursday. And he talked about the gratitude he felt as he started preseason training camp with the rest of his teammates.

“I think that’s pretty much what the whole moment was like, just gratitude,” he said. “I was really grateful. That day that I was just able to come here and start playing the game I love again.”

The Texans traded up to select John Metchie with the 44th pick of last year’s NFL Draft. Team officials already knew they would have to wait to see him on the field. The former Crimson Tide standout tore his ACL during the 2021 SEC Championship game. He needed reconstructive knee surgery. It sometimes can take a year to be back on the field.

But before the Texans opened training camp last summer, doctors found something more serious. He was diagnosed with leukemia, but the most treatable kind.

Metchie is back at practice and Ryans is looking forward to seeing him play. It’s been 21 months and counting since the receiver last played. There’s no specific timetable, as yet. The Texans open preseason with a road game on Aug. 10, against the Patriots.

“He’s working to get back,” Ryans said. “And when it comes time to the season, whenever it is, we want him to be his best. Whatever it is, whatever role it is for our team, hopefully, he can help us win games.”

John Metchie admitted he had a “tough time” when he was first diagnosed.

“I was blessed and very grateful to have one of the most curable forms of cancer,” he told reporters. “As y’all see, I didn’t lose my hair and a lot of stuff like that. So, I was very grateful. I’m very blessed for that. But at the very beginning of it, when you’re diagnosed, a very tough part, it’s the most critical part. You can only rely on your faith in those situations when you’re faced with your own mortality.”