John Metchie III in. The third-year Houston Texans receiver is active for Wednesday’s Christmas showdown as the AFC South champions welcome in the Baltimore Ravens as part of a doubleheader on Netflix.

Wide receiver John Metchie III missed Houston’s game on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs because of a shoulder injury. But on Monday, the former Alabama pass-catcher said he’d be ready to play when the Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens as part of the NFL’s Christmas doubleheader.

Now, the Texans have to face the Ravens’ stout defense and compete in the playoffs without Dell. Dell is one of the most explosive wide receivers in the league and was in the midst of his top performance of the season when he got hurt while catching a touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III led the team with eight targets on Wednesday against the Baltimore Ravens, which he turned into five catches for 48 yards. Unfortunately for the everybody on the Houston offense,

Metchie returned from a one-game layoff to find himself in an elevated role in the passing game sans starter Tank Dell (knee). The 24-year-old Metchie led the Texans in targets Wednesday while setting a new personal high through 12 active games this season.

Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said “you can’t replace a Tank Dell” because of his unique skill set. But if they were to try, Metchie could be someone close to that ability. Like Hutchinson, Metchie is eager for more of a chance in Houston’s offense but keeping in mind the reason for it.

Metchie (shoulder) was listed as limited on Sunday's practice estimate, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports. The Texans played the Chiefs on Saturday, so the team didn't actually hold a practice a day later.

The Houston Texans were trending towards a rough postseason as things already stood going into Week 16. They were the lowest seed of the four potential AFC division winners and their passing offense wasn’t nearly as sharp as it was in last year’s surprise run to the playoffs.

The Texans already locked up ... Johnson will turn his focus toward debuting for Houston in Week 18 versus the Titans. On Wednesday, Nico Collins, John Metchie, Robert Woods, Xavier Hutchinson ...

John Metchie was a full participant in his most recent practice, and looks on track to play in the Houston Texans’ Week 17 game against the Baltimore Ravens (at 4:30 PM ET on Wednesday). All of Metchie’s stats can be found below.

When the NFL kicked off its 15th Sunday of the 2024 season on Dec. 15, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a two-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens at the top of the AFC North standings. Ten days later, the Ravens have a one-game lead on the Steelers after the NFL’s Christmas doubleheader.