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 at least 10,000 rushing yards
Through Week 1 of the 2017 season in progress.
Active players with at least 8,000 yards
Through Week 1 of 2017 in progress. All numbers in yards.
- Chris Johnson, 9,537.
- Matt Forte, 9,415.
- Marshawn Lynch, 9,112.
- LeSean McCoy, 8,944.
- DeAngelo Williams, 8,029.
Historical rushing yards leader
Seven players have been recognized as having held the career rushing yards record in the NFL. Since reliable yardage statistics were not recorded prior to 1932, the first NFL player recognized as the career leader in rushing yards was Cliff Battles, who played from 1932 to 1937 for the Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washington Redskins.[10] He led the NFL with 576 yards in 1932, and held on to the record throughout his career. Emmitt Smith has held the record since surpassing Walter Payton's long-standing total in 2002.
Reign | Player | Team(s) | Carries | Yards | Average | Induction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1932–1941 | Cliff Battles | Washington Redskins (1932–1937) | 839 | 3,511 | 4.2 | 1968 |
1941–1949 | Clarke Hinkle | Green Bay Packers (1932–1941) | 1,171 | 3,860 | 3.3 | 1964 |
1949–1958 | Steve Van Buren | Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1951) | 1,320 | 5,860 | 4.4 | 1965 |
1958–1963 | Joe Perry | San Francisco 49ers (1948–1960, 1963) Baltimore Colts (1961–1962) |
1,737 | 8,378 | 4.8 | 1969 |
1963–1984 | Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) | 2,359 | 12,312 | 5.2 | 1971 |
1984–2002 | Walter Payton | Chicago Bears (1975–1987) | 3,838 | 16,726 | 4.4 | 1993 |
2002–present | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002) Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004) |
4,409 | 18,355 | 4.2 | 2010 |
See also
- NFL records (individual)
- List of NFL rushing champions
- List of National Football League rushing touchdowns leaders
Notes
- ^ Rank is through Week 1 of the 2017 season in progress.
- ^ Total is through Week 1 of the 2017 season in progress.
- ^ Average is rounded to the nearest tenth.
- ^ In 1995, the Los Angeles Rams became known as the St. Louis Rams after the franchise relocated; they returned in 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c A player isn't eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired at least 5 years or is deceased; player isn't eligible for induction upon the start of the 2017 season.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Frye, Brian (June 28, 2016). "History of the Career Rushing Yards Record". thegridfe.com. GridFe. Retrieved September 25, 2016.