What Does Cancer Diagnosis Mean for Texans rookie John Metchie III?

Houston Texas rookie and second round pick John Metchie III revealed he has been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. The former Alabama wide receiver will be out at least this year while battling this form of blood cancer.

The cancer diagnosis was likely discovered on the entry physical for training camp. Football players have at least two physicals a year. Metchie most likely had routine blood-work done where the cancer may have been an incidental finding.

“Football may have saved his life,” former NFL physician Jerry Hizon said. “Healthy 23 year olds do not typically go to the doctor.”

Hizon served as the Chargers team physician for 14 years and has lengthy experience at his primary family practice.

Metchie will have to undergo some form of chemotherapy regimen despite the positive prognosis. Chemotherapy does cause weight loss so Metchie may be out for two years as he works to build his muscle and weight back up.

Before the cancer diagnosis, it was already going to be a tough season for the rookie. He was coming off tearing his ACL in the first half of the SEC Championship against Georgia in December. He finished the year with 96 catches for 1,1412 yards and eight touchdowns. 

This is not the first time the Texans have had to deal with a cancer diagnosis. Offensive lineman David Quessenberry who was 23 at the time was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014. 

He underwent cancer treatment for three years and finally returned to football in 2017 once his cancer was in remission. Quessenberry is now 31 and playing left guard for the Bills.