Watch: Texans WR John Metchie III finally scores first TD

After suffering a torn ACL, undergoing cancer treatment and fighting his way onto the roster in Year 3, John Metchie III scored a touchdown.

The last time John Metchie III scored a touchdown during the regular season came on Dec. 4, 2021.

That was his senior season and final game at the University of Alabama.

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.

Houston (6-3) will receive the ball at halftime and could have a chance to extend its lead beyond the three scores.

With Nico Collins out, Metchie has been the one to step up as the top option for Stroud, hauling in four passes for 65 yards.

His first half against the Lions has actually doubled his receiving total from this season as a whole.

Metchie waited nearly 1,000 days for six points. Just like at Alabama, he was ready to break out the celebration.