The Houston Texans have officially signed 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 sustained during a preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. These circumstances have created an opportunity 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. He spent part of the 2023 season on the Jaguars' practice squad without any game appearances. Before entering the NFL, 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 in Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and later joined the UFL's DC Defenders, where he made notable contributions in the 2026 season. As the Texans prepare for their final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Parish has a crucial opportunity to demonstrate his abilities and potentially secure a spot on the team, including the practice squad.
