The Houston Texans have added defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. This signing comes in response to the loss of defensive end Dylan Horton, who will miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn Achilles tendon. In addition to Horton, linebacker Marte Mapu has also been placed on injured reserve, further depleting the team's defensive depth.
Parish, 27, was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft but did not see any game action during his time there. The Jaguars had listed him as a tight end. Prior to his NFL career, he played five seasons at the University of Houston, where he showcased his versatility by playing both fullback and edge rusher.
His return to Houston is notable as he attended Pearland High School in the area.
After his stint with Jacksonville, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League and later joined the UFL's DC Defenders. During the 2026 UFL season, he participated in 10 games, recording 23 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks, along with a forced fumble. He also contributed three tackles in two postseason games.
The Texans are facing challenges in their defensive line due to multiple injuries, including those to Jadeveon Clowney and Dominique Robinson. Clowney is dealing with a lower-leg injury, while Robinson is recovering from a calf injury sustained during a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
