Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III returning to play football at all was a great story. Sunday evening was just a nice bonus.
Before Metchie’s rookie season in 2022, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Metchie said he thought he might not be able to play football again. He underwent treatment, recovered and was back for the Texans last season.
Metchie had a slow first season, with 158 yards. He didn’t score a touchdown and didn’t play nine weeks this season.
He got his first NFL touchdown on Sunday night. All first touchdowns are special, but that one had to have some extra meaning for Metchie considering what he had experienced.
Metchie was asked to take on a bigger role in attack, with Nico Collins out with a hamstring injury and Stefon Diggs out for the season with a knee injury. His touchdown was big for the Texans as it gave them a 23-7 lead just before halftime.
But that particular score was more important than just what it meant on the scoreboard for Houston.