Who Should I Start? John Metchie III or Bub Means

Thursday, May 1, 12:17 AM

The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander projects Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III to be left off the 53-man roster entering the start of the 2025 season this fall after the team added receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in last week's draft. Houston also added Christian Kirk, Justin Watson and Braxton Berrios in free agency this offseason, creating a lot of competition for the 24-year-old, who has battled injuries and a cancer scare to produce just 40 catches for 412 yards and one touchdown since being drafted in the second round (44th overall) in 2022 out of Alabama. Alexander expects Metchie, Xavier Hutchinson, Berrios and Watson to be battling for the final two receiver spots this summer behind Higgins, Kirk and Nico Collins. Metchie is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025 and could be a trade candidate if it's clear he's not going to make the roster.

Wednesday, August 13, 6:12 PM

The New Orleans Saints placed wide receiver Bub Means (leg) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Means suffered a serious lower-leg injury in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will now miss the entire 2025 season. Before his injury on Sunday, he caught one pass for a gain of 12 yards. It's definitely a blow to the Saints receiving corps after the 24-year-old fifth-rounder last year caught nine of his 15 targets for 118 yards and one touchdown in seven games (one start) in his rookie season. Means also missed the final nine games of his first year in the league with an ankle injury, so he has quickly developed an injury-prone label. Means will now rehab his leg in hopes of being ready for the start of the 2026 season.