Texans Add Former Jaguars Seventh-Round Pick Derek Parish to Bolster Defensive End Depth
The Houston Texans have agreed to sign defensive end Derek Parish, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, as reported by Heavy. and Sports Illustrated. Parish, a former Jacksonville Jaguars seventh-round pick (240th overall in the 2023 draft), is returning to his hometown of Houston after stints in the UFL and CFL.
A Homecoming for the Pearland Product
Parish, a 6-foot-1, 27-year-old, is a product of Pearland High School and played five years at the University of Houston from 2017 to 2022. His journey back to Houston has been anything but direct: after being drafted by the Jaguars in 2023, he has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game. His last NFL action came during the 2023 preseason, where he drew one target in 14 snaps across two games with Jacksonville.
Most recently, Parish played for the DC Defenders in the UFL, where he logged 23 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 10 games, plus three tackles in two postseason appearances. He also spent time with the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL.
KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, who first reported Parish's workout with the Texans, added that Parish impressed the team and reached a deal. Wilson also highlighted Parish's college accolades, including a conference record 4.5 sacks in a game against Texas Tech, along with 6.5 tackles for losses and a forced fumble.
Filling an Injury-Hit Position
The signing comes as the Texans' defensive end depth has been depleted by injuries. According to Wilson, the team is down three defensive ends: Dylan Horton is on injured reserve with a torn Achilles, Jadeveon Clowney is dealing with an ankle injury, and Domonique Robinson has a calf issue. Sports Illustrated similarly reports that Clowney has a lower leg injury, Robinson is recovering from a calf injury, and Horton's torn Achilles will sideline him for the entire 2026 season.
Parish will be added to the Texans' 90-man roster and could see action in the team's third and final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday.
Versatility and Scouting Perspectives
Parish's path to the NFL has been marked by positional flexibility. He is listed as a tight end on ESPN and Pro Football Reference, and his college career included time at fullback. In fact, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile that Parish has short arms that will be detrimental and is a strong candidate to transition to fullback. The Athletic's Dane Brugler noted in his draft guide that Parish was recruited as a linebacker, moved to edge rusher, and played only eight offensive snaps in his college career, but has potential as a special teams ace.
This versatility could help Parish secure a roster spot as the Texans navigate their injury situation. Per Wilson, Parish beat out former Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Tyus Bowser, who also worked out for the Texans.
Looking Ahead
With roster cuts to 53 players looming on Sunday, Parish faces an uphill battle to make the final roster, but his performance in Friday's preseason game could be pivotal. A spot on the practice squad remains a possibility, as noted by Sports Illustrated.
As the Texans look to get healthy on the defensive line, Parish represents a low-risk, high-upside addition—a homegrown player with a unique path and a chance to contribute in multiple roles.