The Houston Texans have added defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move comes after the team lost defensive end Dylan Horton for the entire 2026 season due to a torn Achilles. Additionally, Horton and linebacker Marte Mapu have been placed on injured reserve, impacting the team's defensive lineup.
The Texans are also dealing with injuries to Jadeveon Clowney, who has a lower-leg issue, and Dominique Robinson, who is recovering from a calf injury sustained in a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders. These circumstances have opened the door for Parish, who has a varied football background.
Parish, 27, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad without seeing game action. Previously, he 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 roots.
After his time in Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and the DC Defenders in the UFL. In the 2026 UFL season, he recorded 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks across 10 games.
