List of National Football League rushing yards leaders
This is a list of National Football League running backs by total career rushing yards. This list includes all running backs who have rushed for at least 10,000 yards.
Active players listed in bold type.
Players with 10,000 rushing yards or more
Rank[1] |
Player |
Seasons by team |
Total carries |
Total yards gained[2] |
Overall yards per carry average[3] |
Year of induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame |
1 |
Emmitt Smith |
Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002) Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004) |
4,409 |
18,355 |
4.2 |
2010 |
2 |
Walter Payton |
Chicago Bears (1975–1987) |
3,838 |
16,726 |
4.4 |
1993 |
3 |
Barry Sanders |
Detroit Lions (1989–1998) |
3,062 |
15,269 |
5.0 |
2004 |
4 |
Curtis Martin |
New England Patriots (1995–1997) New York Jets (1998–2005) |
3,518 |
14,101 |
4.0 |
2012 |
5 |
LaDainian Tomlinson |
San Diego Chargers (2001–2009) New York Jets (2010–2011) |
3,174 |
13,684 |
4.3 |
Eligible in 2017[4] |
6 |
Jerome Bettis |
Los Angeles Rams (1993–1995[5]) Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–2005) |
3,479 |
13,662 |
3.9 |
2015[6] |
7 |
Eric Dickerson |
Los Angeles Rams (1983–1987[7]) Indianapolis Colts (1987–1991) Los Angeles Raiders (1992) Atlanta Falcons (1993) |
2,996 |
13,259 |
4.4 |
1999 |
8 |
Tony Dorsett |
Dallas Cowboys (1977–1987) Denver Broncos (1988) |
2,936 |
12,739 |
4.3 |
1994 |
9 |
Jim Brown |
Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) |
2,359 |
12,312 |
5.2 |
1971 |
10 |
Marshall Faulk |
Indianapolis Colts (1994–1998) St. Louis Rams (1999–2005) |
2,836 |
12,279 |
4.3 |
2011 |
11 |
Edgerrin James |
Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005) Arizona Cardinals (2006– 2008) Seattle Seahawks (2009) |
3,028 |
12,246 |
4.0 |
One time finalist |
12 |
Marcus Allen |
Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) |
3,022 |
12,243 |
4.1 |
2003 |
13 |
Franco Harris |
Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983) Seattle Seahawks (1984) |
2,949 |
12,120 |
4.1 |
1990 |
14 |
Thurman Thomas |
Buffalo Bills (1988–1999) Miami Dolphins (2000) |
2,877 |
12,074 |
4.2 |
2007 |
15 |
Frank Gore |
San Francisco 49ers (2005–2014) Indianapolis Colts (2015–Present) |
2,702 |
12,040 |
4.5 |
Active/Not eligible[4] |
16 |
Fred Taylor |
Jacksonville Jaguars (1998–2008) New England Patriots (2009–2010) |
2,534 |
11,695 |
4.6 |
None |
17 |
Adrian Peterson |
Minnesota Vikings (2007–Present) |
2,381 |
11,675 |
4.9 |
Active/Not eligible[4] |
18 |
Steven Jackson |
St. Louis Rams (2004–2012) Atlanta Falcons (2013–2014) New England Patriots (2015–Present) |
2,764 |
11,438 |
4.1 |
Active/Not eligible[4] |
19 |
John Riggins |
New York Jets (1971–1975) Washington Redskins (1976–1985) |
2,916 |
11,352 |
3.9 |
1992 |
20 |
Corey Dillon |
Cincinnati Bengals (1997–2003) New England Patriots (2004–2006) |
2,618 |
11,241 |
4.3 |
None |
21 |
O. J. Simpson |
Buffalo Bills (1969–1977) San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979) |
2,404 |
11,236 |
4.7 |
1985 |
22 |
Warrick Dunn |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997–2001) Atlanta Falcons (2002–2007) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008) |
2,669 |
10,967 |
4.1 |
None |
23 |
Ricky Watters |
San Francisco 49ers (1992–1994) Philadelphia Eagles (1995–1997) Seattle Seahawks (1998–2001) |
2,622 |
10,643 |
4.1 |
None |
24 |
Jamal Lewis |
Baltimore Ravens (2000–2006) Cleveland Browns (2007–2009) |
2,542 |
10,607 |
4.2 |
None |
25 |
Thomas Jones |
Arizona Cardinals (2000–2002) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003) Chicago Bears (2004–2006) New York Jets (2007–2009) Kansas City Chiefs (2010–2011) |
2,678 |
10,591 |
4.0 |
Eligible in 2017[4] |
26 |
Tiki Barber |
New York Giants (1997–2006) |
2,217 |
10,449 |
4.7 |
None |
27 |
Eddie George |
Tennessee Titans (1996[8]–2003) Dallas Cowboys (2004) |
2,865 |
10,441 |
3.6 |
None |
28 |
Ottis Anderson |
St. Louis Cardinals (1979–1986[9]) New York Giants (1986–1992) |
2,562 |
10,273 |
4.0 |
None |
29 |
Ricky Williams |
New Orleans Saints (1999–2001) Miami Dolphins (2002–2010) Baltimore Ravens (2011) |
2,431 |
10,009 |
4.1 |
Eligible in 2017[4] |
Active players with 8,000 yards or more
As of the end of the 2015 season.
Notes
- ↑ Rank is through the end of the 2015 season.
- ↑ Total is through the end of the 2015 season.
- ↑ Average is rounded to the nearest tenth.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 A player is not eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for five calendar years or is deceased; player was not eligible for induction upon the commencement of the 2015 season.
- ↑ In 1995, the Los Angeles Rams became known as the St. Louis Rams after the franchise relocated.
- ↑ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/01/31/Steelers-champion-Jerome-Bettis-elected-to-Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame/stories/201501310191
- ↑ Dickerson was traded mid-season in 1987; he played three games for the Rams and nine for the Colts.
- ↑ In the 1996 season, George's first, the Tennessee Titans were known as the Houston Oilers; the franchise relocated prior to the commencement of the 1997 season.
- ↑ Anderson was traded during mid-season in 1986; he played four games for the Cardinals and eight for the Giants.
See also
External links
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