The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move comes in response to the loss of defensive end Dylan Horton, who will miss 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, and Dominique Robinson 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 background in football.
Parish, 27, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft as the 240th overall pick. He spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad but did not see game action. Before his professional career, 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 home state.
After his time with Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League and then joined the UFL's DC Defenders, where he recorded 23 total tackles and three sacks in the 2026 UFL season. With the Texans preparing for their final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Parish has a limited opportunity to prove himself before roster cuts.
