75°
73º | 92°
76° | 91°
A member of the Houston Texans’ 2022 draft class has been diagnosed with leukemia and won’t play a down this season.
According to an ESPN report that was ran by Houston ABC affiliate KTRK, rookie wide receiver (WR) John Metchie III said in a statement that was posted on the Texans’ website and its social media platforms on Sunday that he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
The Taiwan-born Metchie, who was selected out of Alabama with the 44th overall pick, said he’s “receiving great medical care,” per the statement.
“[I] am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time,” the WR said. “As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season.”
Metchie added that his priorities are his health and recovery, expressing gratitude for any forthcoming support and well wishes.
“I cannot wait to come back stronger than ever,” the rookie said in the statement. “God bless."
ESPN reported that the Texans added the wideout’s name to the active/non-football illness list.
According to the report, Metchie was the result of a trade between the Texans and the Cleveland Browns in which Houston shipped away three picks to take the 44th pick that was originally Cleveland’s.
During his junior and final season in Tuscaloosa, the 22-year-old hauled in 96 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) title game late year, per ESPN.
The Texans had hoped Metchie would participate in training camp.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statement distributed to the media that his program stands behind Metchie, who was a member of the 2020 Crimson Tide national championship squad.
“[It’s] a blessing that he is in a city known for great medical care and with an organization, in the Houston Texans, who will be with him throughout this journey,” Saban said, per ESPN.