John Metchie III’s NFL debut could finally be at hand.

Drafted from Alabama by the Houston Texans in the second round in 2022, Metchie did not play during his first season because of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

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After putting the cancer behind him, Metchie played 33 offensive snaps in two of Houston’s preseason games and had a pair of 5-yard receptions and a 12-yard kickoff return.

But a hamstring injury that hampered Metchie during the Texans’ offseason program kept him from practicing for Houston’s season-opening game, and he missed a 25-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 10.

Metchie returned to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday and was listed as a full practice participant on Friday, providing hope that Metchie could play on Sunday, when the Texans take on the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South game at noon CDT at NRG Stadium in Houston.

“It’s been great just being able to be back out there and kind of start contributing to the team and stuff,” Metchie told Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV in the Texans’ locker room this week. “… Patience has definitely been a theme for me, and it’s been something I’ve had a lot of practice with in the last year, of course, so it’s just remaining consistent, knowing that I just have to remain consistent and keep showing up, and that the time will come. I just got to be ready.”

Houston drafted Metchie after he had caught 151 passes for 2,085 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Alabama knowing he probably wouldn’t start his pro career on time. Metchie had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his final game for the Crimson Tide – a 41-24 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5, 2021.

But in July 2022, Metchie was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia.

According to the National Institutes of Health’s Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, acute promyelocytic leukemia occurs when “there are too many immature blood-forming cells (promyelocytes) in the blood and bone marrow. This buildup of promyelocytes leads to a shortage of normal white and red blood cells and platelets in the body. The signs and symptoms of APL include an increased risk both to bleed and form blood clots. Individuals may also experience excessive tiredness, pain in affected areas, loss of appetite and weight loss.”

With that – and his hamstring injury – behind him, Metchie is eager to play in an NFL regular-season game for the first time.

“I’m extremely excited,” Metchie said. “But I can’t get too ahead of myself. I just have to, like I said, be patient. That’s kind of the biggest thing. Although I’m really excited, I got to be patient and just be ready whenever my number is called, whenever that is.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.