MINNEAPOLIS – John Metchie III found the hole in the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, creating enough pass to give Texans quarterback Davis Mills a clear passing lane.
Mills threw a strike to Metchie, an 18-yard completion over the middle for a key first down that led up to a touchdown pass to wide receiver Braxton Berrios during a 20-10 preseason road loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
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It was a crisp opening drive, and Metchie contributed throughout the game. He caught a team-high five passes for 45 yards on eight targets.
In a competitive situation for playing time and roster spots, Metchie made his case to stick on the roster.
“All our receivers did a really nice job, John Metchie showed up,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of the former Alabama standout and second-round draft pick. “A ton of different guys showing up, so they’re still, you know, we got a really full room of guys there who can play in the NFL, so it’s tight competition going down to the wire.”
Metchie, 24, caught 24 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown, his first in the NFL last season in 13 games and three starts.
This was good and necessary performance for Metchie, who’s had up-and-down moments at training camp.
“It was good, it was good to get out there,” Metchie said. “It was good to play against somebody else. It’s more of a process thing rather than just a single day, not just, of course, on gameday, but it’s more a process than how you show up every day, how consistent you can be.”
A former national champion for the Crimson Tide and All-Southeastern Conference selection, Metchie is a former Ed Block Courage award winner for his inspirational comeback after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia and missing his entire rookie season being treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
While it hasn’t always been a smooth process for Metchie, he keeps overcoming adversity. Heading into his third season, Metchie is maintaining an upbeat, even-keel demeanor mirrored by his teammates.
“Just showing up, everybody brings their best every day and we all uplift each other,” Metchie said. “On days you’re not feeling it, the guys will uplift you. On days, the guys aren’t feeling well, that’s kind of our culture. We kind of band together.
“You talk about that competition in the room, but everybody likes each other, everybody wants to get better, everybody just kind of helping each other.”
Metchie has been studying old tape of New England Patriots wide receivers Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. Those passing concepts mirror closely what new offensive coordinator Nick Caley is installing.
“Those are a bunch of guys that have had lots of good production in the slot,” Metchie said. “The system we’re in, it’s kind of similar. So they’re good references to watch.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com