NFL · Records · NFL all-time rushing leaders
NFL records
NFL all-time rushing leaders
Emmitt Smith, 18,355 rushing yards through 2025.
Emmitt Smith is the NFL's career leader in rushing yards. Walter Payton is second with 16,726 and Frank Gore third with 16,000. The active leader: Derrick Henry (10th, 13,018).
Every 10,000-yard rusher
Rk
Player
Yds
Att
1
Emmitt SmithDallas Cowboys (1990-2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004)
18,355
4,409
2
Walter PaytonChicago Bears (1975-1987)
16,726
3,838
3
Frank GoreSan Francisco 49ers (2005-2014), Indianapolis Colts (2015-2017), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020)
16,000
3,735
4
Barry SandersDetroit Lions (1989-1998)
15,269
3,063
5
Adrian PetersonMinnesota Vikings (2007-2016), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018-2019), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021)
14,918
3,230
6
Curtis MartinNew England Patriots (1995-1997), New York Jets (1998-2005)
14,101
3,518
7
LaDainian TomlinsonSan Diego Chargers (2001-2009), New York Jets (2010-2011)
13,684
3,174
8
Jerome BettisLos Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1993-1995), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-2005)
13,662
3,479
9
Eric DickersonLos Angeles Rams (1983-1987), Indianapolis Colts (1987-1991), Los Angeles Raiders (1992), Atlanta Falcons (1993)
13,259
2,996
10
Derrick HenryActive · Tennessee Titans (2016-2023), Baltimore Ravens (2024-present)
13,018
2,662
11
Tony DorsettDallas Cowboys (1977-1987), Denver Broncos (1988)
12,739
2,936
12
Jim BrownCleveland Browns (1957-1965)
12,312
2,359
13
Marshall FaulkIndianapolis Colts (1994-1998), St. Louis Rams (1999-2005)
12,279
2,836
14
Edgerrin JamesIndianapolis Colts (1999-2005), Arizona Cardinals (2006-2008), Seattle Seahawks (2009)
12,246
3,028
15
Marcus AllenLos Angeles Raiders (1982-1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1997)
12,243
3,022
16
Franco HarrisPittsburgh Steelers (1972-1983), Seattle Seahawks (1984)
12,120
2,949
17
Thurman ThomasBuffalo Bills (1988-1999), Miami Dolphins (2000)
12,074
2,877
18
Fred TaylorJacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008), New England Patriots (2009-2010)
11,695
2,534
19
Steven JacksonSt. Louis Rams (2004-2012), Atlanta Falcons (2013-2014), New England Patriots (2015)
11,438
2,764
20
John RigginsNew York Jets (1971-1975), Washington Redskins (1976-1985)
11,352
2,916
21
Corey DillonCincinnati Bengals (1997-2003), New England Patriots (2004-2006)
11,241
2,618
22
O. J. SimpsonBuffalo Bills (1969-1977), San Francisco 49ers (1978-1979)
11,236
2,404
23
LeSean McCoyPhiladelphia Eagles (2009-2014), Buffalo Bills (2015-2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)
11,102
2,457
24
Warrick DunnTampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-2001, 2008), Atlanta Falcons (2002-2007)
10,967
2,284
25
Ricky WattersSan Francisco 49ers (1992-1994), Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1997), Seattle Seahawks (1998-2001)
10,643
2,622
26
Jamal LewisBaltimore Ravens (2000-2006), Cleveland Browns (2007-2009)
10,607
2,542
27
Thomas JonesArizona Cardinals (2000-2002), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003), Chicago Bears (2004-2006), New York Jets (2007-2009), Kansas City Chiefs (2010-2011)
10,591
2,678
28
Tiki BarberNew York Giants (1997-2006)
10,449
2,217
29
Eddie GeorgeHouston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1996-2003), Dallas Cowboys (2004)
10,441
2,865
30
Marshawn LynchBuffalo Bills (2007-2010), Seattle Seahawks (2010-2015, 2019), Oakland Raiders (2017-2018)
10,413
2,453
31
Ottis AndersonSt. Louis Cardinals (1979-1986), New York Giants (1986-1992)
10,273
2,562
32
Ricky WilliamsNew Orleans Saints (1999-2001), Miami Dolphins (2002-2003, 2005-2010), Baltimore Ravens (2011)
10,009
2,431
Regular season, through the 2025 season; this season's rushing yards are not added yet.
Active: still playing when the 2026 season began.
Questions
Who has the most rushing yards in NFL history?
Emmitt Smith, 18,355 through the 2025 season, for the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
Who is second in career rushing yards?
Walter Payton, 16,726. Third is Frank Gore with 16,000.
Which active players are on the list?
Derrick Henry (10th, 13,018), through 2025.
How many players have run for 10,000 yards?
32, through the 2025 season.