The Houston Texans have added defensive end Derek Parish to their roster of 90 players, according to 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. The Texans have also placed Horton and linebacker Marte Mapu on injured reserve, impacting their defensive lineup.
In addition to these injuries, Jadeveon Clowney is dealing with a lower-leg issue, while Dominique Robinson is recovering from a calf injury sustained in a preseason matchup against 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 in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, being the 240th pick overall. He spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad but did not play in any games. Prior to his NFL career, he played five seasons at the University of Houston, contributing as both a fullback and an edge rusher.
A graduate of Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, this signing marks a return to his home state.
After his time with Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League, and subsequently joined the DC Defenders in the UFL. In the 2026 UFL season, he played in 10 games, achieving 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, along with a forced fumble.
