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 announced that defensive end Dylan Horton 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, while Dominique Robinson is recovering from a calf injury he sustained during a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. These circumstances have opened the door for Parish, who has a varied background in football.
At 27 years old, Parish was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 240th pick overall. Although he was part of the Jaguars' practice squad, he did not participate in any NFL games. He previously 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 Canadian Football League and subsequently joined the DC Defenders in the UFL. During the 2026 UFL season, he appeared in 10 games, accumulating 23 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, along with a forced fumble.