Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton got to share some good news as he heads into his first full offseason as a professional football player: He is in remission. Horton previously announced he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
But since that diagnosis in early December, Horton has been doggedly pursuing a treatment plan. And it’s paid off in a big way.
“On December 1, 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Though God’s grace, I’m blessed to say that I’m currently in remission,” Horton said in a statement. “I am grateful for the love from my family and friends, and support from the Texans organization and my doctors.”
He vowed a return to the field is imminent.
“The next objective is to complete my treatments, then get back to play the game that I love. Than you for your prayers and support as I continue this journey,” Horton said.
Another Texan returned to the field after a cancer battle in 2023
Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie touched the ball just four times on Saturday in the team’s win against the Cleveland Browns but his impact was significant. He amassed 44 yards receiving and nine yards rushing as the team put the hurt on the Browns to the tune of a 45-14 final score. The former second-rounder’s career hasn’t gone as he’d expected but his performance in the Wild Card game and beyond this season had head coach DeMeco Ryans singing his praises post-game.
“Metchie’s had up and downs through the season, had some opportunities to make plays and some moments he made them and some he didn’t but what a moment for him this past game to come up with a couple of big catches there,” Ryans said.
“Really proud of him for his journey and all that he’s been through. No one’s been through it tougher than him and for him to show the resolve and to continue to push and fight to get better at his craft, day in and day out, nobody works on their craft harder than Metchie. It’s good to see the success come from it in our first playoff game.”
Metchie missed the entire 2022 season after receiving a diagnosis of Leukemia after the draft. Though he was initially cleared for play on that front this offseason, a hamstring injury set him back leading up to training camp.
Metchie’s cancer diagnosis, which came last July, revealed he had APL (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia), which is a form of Leukemia with the highest rates of long-term survival. After finding out about his condition, the second-rounder spent a month and a half in in-patient treatment. He followed that up with several months of outpatient chemotherapy.
This season, the former Crimson Tide star had 16 catches for 158 yards in the regular season.
More must-reads: