The Houston Texans have officially signed defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. This decision comes in the wake of injuries to several players, including defensive end Dylan Horton, who will miss the entire 2026 season due to a torn Achilles.
Horton, along with linebacker Marte Mapu, has been placed on injured reserve, further straining 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 with the team. He was listed as a tight end by the Jaguars and spent part of the 2023 season on their practice squad.
Prior to his NFL career, Parish played five seasons at the University of Houston, where he showcased his versatility as both a fullback and edge rusher. He is also a Pearland High School alumnus, marking his return to Houston as a significant homecoming.
After his stint with Jacksonville, Parish played in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts before joining 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.
