The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. This decision follows the loss of defensive end Dylan Horton, who will miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn Achilles. Additionally, the Texans have placed Horton and linebacker Marte Mapu on injured reserve, further complicating their defensive depth.
The Texans are also managing injuries to Jadeveon Clowney, who is dealing with a lower-leg issue, and Dominique Robinson, who is recovering from a calf injury sustained during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. These injuries have created an opportunity for Parish, who brings a diverse background to the team.
Parish, 27, was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the 240th overall pick. Although he spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad, he did not see any game action in the NFL. During his time with Jacksonville, he was listed as a tight end.
Before his professional career, Parish played five seasons at the University of Houston, where he contributed as both a fullback and edge rusher. He is a graduate of Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, making this signing a homecoming for him.
After leaving Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and then joined the UFL's DC Defenders. In the 2026 UFL season, he participated 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.
