Dora was SO ruthless about John Metchie’s unfortunate mistake.
Houston Texans receiver John Metchie III probably already felt bad enough about fumbling the ball on Houston’s first possession during Saturday’s AFC Wild Card game. He’ll feel even worse when he sees what the famous animated child, Dora the Explorer, had to say about the sequence.
John Metchie is being evaluated for a head injury entering the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Titans.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Houston Texans elected to rest most starters on offense following the opening drive against the Tennessee Titans.
John Metchie III was not one of them.
Entering the final 15 minutes of the regular season, Metchie’s status for the wild-card round could be in jeopardy following a third-down play inside the red zone.
Here’s the latest surrounding Metchie as the Texans inch closer to a 10-win season.
John Metchie injury update
Metchie went down after taking a hard hit over the middle from Daryl Worley on a third-down pass attempt from Davis Mills. Worley was flagged for unnecessary roughness after leading his head while trying to make a play.
He drilled Metchie in the head while he was diving for a catch. After several seconds, the third-year receiver popped up. He was helped off by the team’s medical staff and later taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
Houston needs Metchie to be healthy for next week’s wild-card round matchup as the team’s No. 3 target. Should he miss, Metchie would be that latest injury in a season full of them for Texans receiver room.
Texans Injury Updates:
#8 WR John Metchie III is being evaluated for a concussion and questionable to return.
#35 LB Jake Hansen is questionable with an ankle injury.
A reliable No. 3 weapon in the slot, Metchie has totaled 22 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown entering Week 18. Should his day be over, he’ll finish with two catches for 24 yards.
Texans WR Depth Chart
Nico Collins is done for the day after securing his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Diontae Johnson is expected to play all four quarters.
Here are the remaining receivers for Sunday’s game.
Plenty has happened for the Houston Texans‘ third-year receiver since he crossed the goal line in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.
He tore his ACL the following quarter down in Atlanta and would miss the national championship while undergoing season-ending surgery.
He became a second-round draft pick for Houston and hopefully the long-term option in the slot.
He underwent a battle with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a rare but treatable form of cancer.
And he nearly didn’t make the active roster after back-to-back forgotten seasons as the Texans’ No. 4 receiver.
But Metchie never lost hope that he’d eventually cross into the end zone again. That moment arrived Sunday on the primetime stage against Houston’s most lethal opponent.
As the second quarter came to a close against the Detroit Lions, C.J. Stroud found Metchie for a 15-yard score to give the Texans a 23-7 entering halftime.
John Metchie III and Cam Akers highlight players who will not participate in Sunday’s contest against the Indianapolis Colts.
John Metchie III was a standout in the preseason. He won’t be a stud in Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Metchie and running back Cam Akers were ruled inactive for Week 1 as the Houston Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts. Other inactive players for the Texans include linebacker Jamal Hill, defensive back M.J. Stewart and offensive tackle Nick Broeker.
Metchie, a 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, was on the bubble during training camp, yet came away as one of the top performers. He led the Texans with six catches for 76 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 2 of the preseason.
Metchie finished with 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in four preseason games. Xavier Hutchinson, who led the Texans in receptions and receiving yards this preseason, will have a substantial role in the passing game.
Akers was perhaps the top breakout player of Texans’ training camp en route to making the active 53-man roster. He remained consistent on the ground and piled drive up the pecking order by averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.
Akers also was effective in the passing game. In the Hall of Fame game against Chicago, he caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum.
With Akers out, the Texans will turn to a combination of Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce.
Are the Steelers one of the teams who has called about Texans WR John Metchie III?
According to Bleacher Report NFL analyst Jordan Schultz, the Houston Texans are fielding calls from teams interested in trading for wide receiver John Metchie III. Given the history of the Pittsburgh Steeler and them courting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, we would like to think Pittsburgh is one of those teams.
Metchie is a former second-round pick who got lost in the shuffle with the Texans last season and only caught 16 passes as a reserve. The emergence of Nico Collins and Tank Dell relegated the speedy Mitchie to a backup role but his college film tells a different story.
In 2021, Metchie emerged as one of the best possession receivers in college football at Alabama. He hauled in 96 passes for 1,142 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.
Sources: Multiple teams have reached out to the #Texans to see if WR John Metchie III would be available in trade due to the plethora of receivers on their roster. It’s unclear if Houston would move him, but several team are keeping a close eye.
The Steelers appear to be set with George Pickens and Van Jefferson but Metchie could provide an inside/outside receiver who plays solid, hard-nosed football and plays with a tremendous amount of polish to his game.
Based on one report, it’s not off the table heading into Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Houston Texans have been contacted by “multiple teams” regarding the availability of the third-year wide receiver. The Texans are loaded at the position and could afford to free up space by trading one of their top backups.
Schultz did note that it’s “unclear” if the Texans would be willing to trade Metchie, although several opposing front offices are keeping a “close eye” on the former second-round pick.
Sources: Multiple teams have reached out to the #Texans to see if WR John Metchie III would be available in trade due to the plethora of receivers on their roster. It’s unclear if Houston would move him, but several team are keeping a close eye.
An asking price wasn’t mentioned, but it’s safe to assume given Metchie’s unproven upside in the regular season, he’d likely go for a Day 3 pick. Could it be more? If so, that’s a deal the Texans would at least have to mull over given the long-term status of several other positions.
Metchie was drafted by the Texans out of Alabama in 2022, but missed his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with leukemia during summer workouts. He returned in 2023, hauling in 16 passes for 158 yards.
Perhaps the Metchie’s highlight moment came in the 45-14 wild-card round victory over the Cleveland Browns. Totaling three catches for 36 yards, Metchie helped the Texans inch deep into Browns’ territory with a 27-yard grab-and-go from C.J. Stroud in the second quarter.
He picked back up where he left off in the preseason. Metchie had been a standout in practice with both Stroud and Davis Mills in the passing game. In Week 2’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants, he finished with a team-leading six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Everyone in the locker room loves Metchie. As much as he offers upside on the field, he provides the same value in the huddle. Players couldn’t wait to celebrate with the former Crimson Tide after he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 4-yard pass from Case Keenum.
“It’s exciting to see Metchie make those types of plays,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Nobody is more fired up than his teammates to see the other receivers and see their genuine excitement when he makes those plays. The entire team, as a whole, is pulling for him to do well. And he did a really nice job today.”
Metchie could struggle to stand out in a loaded receiver room for the impending season. Nico Collins signed a three-year extension this offseason after racking up a team-high 1,297 yards off 80 catches.
Rookie sensation Tank Dell is back after his promising 2023 season ended in Week 13 due to a fractured fibula.
The Texans also brought in four-time Pro Bowl target Stefon Diggs from Buffalo to raise the skillset for reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. He’s going to start after leading the NFL in receptions over the past four years with Buffalo.
For Houston, the question turns to Metchie’s future. Diggs is only on a one-year deal after the franchise voids the last three years of his contract. If he exceeds expectations, he’ll command top dollar on the market, thus forcing his way out of Houston’s price range.
The Texans also have to assume Metchie is the No. 4 receiver if they elect to cease all trade talks. Right now, that part feels logical since he finished the preseason with 10 catches for 100 yards and a score.
Also, do the Texans expect Metchie to remain the same player once the regular season rolls around? If not, why not trade him when the value has reached its peak?
The Texans would feel content about their receiver room if they moved on from Metchie, but it would have to be for the right price. Until that happens, expect Metchie to remain in Houston as the team prepares for Indianapolis.
Here are four players the Panthers may be interested in scooping up over the next few days:
Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan clearly intends on taking advantage from atop the NFL’s waiver wire.
The team’s 2-15 record from 2023 has awarded them the first crack at each player placed on waivers up through the third week of the regular season. And Morgan, who’s looking to build a fearsome roster, has stated that he’ll be “aggressive” with that positioning.
But what if they’re a little more aggressive, particularly on the trade market over the next few days?
As the league-wide cutdown to initial 53-man rosters continues, players may also depart their teams via trades. If another front office wants to prevent a potential target of theirs from even reaching the waiver wire, they might try to swing a deal—essentially cutting ahead of Carolina.
So if the Panthers want to get ahead of themselves, here are four players Morgan and company could try a trade for:
WR John Metchie III (Houston Texans)
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Even after his solid preseason performance, Metchie has seemed like the odd man out in Houston’s receivers room for quite some time. Not only is he looking up the depth chart at the likes of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, but the 2022 second-round pick has also had to battle for a spot against some solid competition in Robert Woods and Noah Brown.
Carolina’s outlook at the wideout position is brighter than it was a year ago. In fact, head coach Dave Canales said the group was a strength of the roster this summer.
But if the Panthers want to continue to make life easier for second-year quarterback Bryce Young, reuniting him with the No. 1 target from his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at Alabama should certainly help.
EDGE Azeez Ojulari (New York Giants)
Al Bello/Getty Images
The Panthers signed former Minnesota Viking D.J. Wonnum to a two-year, $12.5 million deal this spring in hopes of starting him off the edge. But the 26-year-old is still working back from a torn quad, and has remained on the active/physically unable to perform list throughout the summer.
That’s left Carolina’s defense with a hodgepodge of outside ‘backers behind starter Jadeveon Clowney. As of now, the team’s top complements are K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson and Eku Leota. Yeah.
Ojulari, who has racked up 16.0 sacks in his three NFL seasons, has become somewhat of an extra for the Giants—especially after their acquisition of some dude named Brian Burns. The 24-year-old not only offers promise to a Panthers roster looking to grow, but also a more experienced pass rusher—at least compared to their current options.
LB Jamin Davis (Washington Commanders)
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Davis is a pretty intriguing case. Despite being a productive inside linebacker for the first three years of his pro career, the Commanders and new head coach Dan Quinn have tried the athletic 6-foot-3, 234-pounder on the edge this offseason.
The transition seemed to yield some decent results this preseason—as Davis, per Pro Football Focus, recorded four pressures and a 68.1 pass-rushing grade over 42 attempts. Nonetheless, the 2019 first-round pick is still a cut candidate for the fresh regime.
Perhaps the Panthers may be interested in Davis, either on the outside or in the middle—where they’re currently developing another young and promising Kentucky Wildcat.
CB Caleb Farley (Tennessee Titans)
George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
Like Carolina’s outside linebacker position, the cornerback spot is without a defined No. 2. The favorite to start alongside Jaycee Horn was free-agent signee Dane Jackson, who is expected to miss a handful of weeks after sustaining a “significant” hamstring injury.
Farley, who has appeared in just 12 games since being selected with the 22nd overall pick in 2021, may benefit from a change of scenery. The Maiden, N.C. native and Virginia tech standout had his fifth-year option declined by the Titans, setting him up for free agency in 2025.
At 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Farley fits the mold of what Morgan was used to working with during his days in Seattle.
The Houston Texans receiver room has been the most fierce competition with John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson among those active.
Throughout training camp, the top position battle to watch has been in the wide receiver room as the group possesses several capable NFL wideouts.
Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell all will sit out in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Veteran Robert Woods earned the off day, and likely a spot on the 53-man roster — for look to keep him healthy for a trade — after producing the last two preseason games.
#Texans wide receivers active today John Metchie III, Ben Skowronek, Xavier Hutchinson, Steven Sims Jr., Quintez Cephus, Johnny Johnson III. Not dressed out Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Robert Woods @KPRC2pic.twitter.com/jslSzrNhNs
Among Houston’s active receivers is John Metchie III, Xavier Hutchinson, Ben Skowronek and Steven Sims.
Depending on how many wideouts the Texans keep, there are likely two to three spots remaining.
Veteran Noah Brown has not played throughout the preseason and his status is unknown. He may begin the year on injured reserve, which would open an additional spot in the receiver room.
Metchie had a breakout showing last week against the New York Giants with six catches for 68 yards and his first professional touchdown.
Between strong showings in practice and eight catches for 80 yards with another 27 on the ground, Hutchinson is another young receiver making it tough to leave him off the roster.
Sims and Skowronek are two versatile pieces that can also contribute on special teams. Sims had a punt return touchdown in the Texans Divisional Round loss to Baltimore and Skowronek arrived in Houston via trade with Los Angeles.
Metchie’s score comes at the right time of the preseason as the receiver room competition heats up as the Texans enter the final week of the preseason. There are two receiver spots left and Metchie’s in the hunt with Xavier Hutchinson, Robert Woods, Steven Simms and Ben Skowronek.
Metchie had his most productive game as a pro in Houston’s wild-card round victory over the Cleveland Browns, totaling three catches for 44 yards, plus a 9-yard run. He’s provided consistency in practice while establishing himself as a top secondary target in Houston’s receiver rotation.
Despite a strong spring and start to training camp, Metchie has been quiet in the Texans’ first two games with two catches for 11 yards and a drop. He surpassed that stat line on the 12-play, 79-yard drive that ended in his score.
Metchie finished the first half with three catches for 33 yards. He and the Texans will start on offense to begin the third quarter.
John Metchie III was back in action with the Houston Texans’ offense for the first time since Monday.
The Texans’ offense is still missing running back Joe Mixon and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil heading into the weekend, but at least they added back an essential piece Friday morning before practice.
John Metchie III, who missed the past two practices for rest, was back in action among the pass-catchers. He stood out in drills, catching a pair of touchdown passes during one-on-one drills.
John Metchie III is back at practice today after mission the last two practices.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) July 26, 2024
Metchie, a 2022 second-round pick out of the University of Alabama, has been one of the top performers in the early stages of camp. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, plus several other offensive players, have praised his work ethic and consistency throughout OTAs and minicamp.
“He’s making plays, he’s showing up and he’s showing out. So just another brother of mine,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “Not only am I there for him, but he’s also there for me through thick and thin. Just another great guy that we have. I’m just excited to see him just show his value that we all have known, and now he’s putting it on the field.”
Mixon, the Texans’ expected starting running back, still hasn’t returned to practice, but he was seen on the sidelines watching drills behind Dameon Pierce, Jahwar Jordan and J.J. Taylor. Houston is being patient as he fully recovers from what’s being reported as a lower-body injury.
Tunsil, who underwent successful arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason, still hasn’t been cleared to practice. So far, rookie Blake Fisher has been working with the starters at left tackle and is still getting used to facing off against defensive ends like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Quarterback Case Keenum also what should be considered a veteran’s off-day. The Texans return to practice on Saturday, so Keenum could return before Sunday’s off-period.
: Nickelodeon NFL Wild Card Game pic.twitter.com/VcbwNchmOY
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