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. Horton, along with linebacker Marte Mapu, has been placed on injured reserve, impacting the team's defensive lineup.
In addition to Horton and Mapu, 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 during a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. These circumstances have opened the door for Parish, who has a varied background.
Parish, 27, was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Although he spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad, he did not play in any NFL games. Before turning professional, he played five seasons at the University of Houston 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 in Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League and then joined the UFL's DC Defenders, where he recorded 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in the 2026 season. With the Texans preparing for their final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Parish has a chance to demonstrate his abilities before the final roster cuts.
