The Houston Texans have signed defensive end Derek Parish to their 90-man roster, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. This move comes in the wake of injuries to key players, including defensive end Dylan Horton, who 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 losses, the Texans are managing injuries to Jadeveon Clowney and Dominique Robinson, which has opened the door for Parish. The 27-year-old was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft but did not see game action during his time there.
He previously played five seasons at the University of Houston, contributing as a fullback and edge rusher, and he is a graduate of Pearland High School in Texas.
Before joining the Texans, Parish played for the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL and the DC Defenders in the UFL, where he recorded 23 total tackles and three sacks in the 2026 season.
With the Texans preparing for their final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, Parish has a limited chance to prove himself and secure a spot on the team, potentially including a place on the practice squad.