The Houston Texans have added defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, following reports from ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move comes after defensive end Dylan Horton was ruled out for the entire 2026 season due to a torn Achilles. Additionally, the Texans have placed Horton and linebacker Marte Mapu on injured reserve, further straining their defensive lineup.
Injuries are also affecting Jadeveon Clowney, who is dealing with a lower-leg issue, and Dominique Robinson, who is recovering from a calf injury incurred during a preseason matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. These circumstances have opened the door for Parish, who has a varied background in football.
Parish, 27, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 240th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was part of the Jaguars' practice squad during the 2023 season but did not participate in any NFL games. Before turning professional, Parish played five seasons at the University of Houston, contributing as both a fullback and edge rusher.
A graduate of Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, this signing marks a return to his home state.
After his stint with Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and then joined the UFL's DC Defenders. In the 2026 UFL season, he appeared in 10 games, recording 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, along with a forced fumble. He also made three tackles in two postseason games.
