Top 20 - Rushing Yards 02/18/2010 See All News Rushing Yards (at start of 2010 NFL Season) 1 Emmitt Smith* 18,355 Career Notes: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson is the highest ranked rusher among those players active in 2009. He added 730 yards to his career rushing total to jump from 14th place all-time at the start of the season to 8th place by season's end. Season at a glance: 2009 LEADER: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans (2,006 yards) SINGLE-SEASON NFL RECORD: Eric Dickerson*, Los Angeles Rams (2,105 yards in 1984) * Pro Football Hall of Fame member Italics - players active during 2009 season Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2010>>> 2 Walter Payton* 16,726 3 Barry Sanders* 15,269 4 Curtis Martin 14,101 5 Jerome Bettis 13,662 6 Eric Dickerson* 13,259 7 Tony Dorsett* 12,739 8 LaDanian Tomlinson 12,490 9 Jim Brown* 12,312 10 Marshall Faulk 12,279 11 Edgerrin James 12,246 12 Marcus Allen* 12,243 13 Franco Harris* 12,120 14 Thurman Thomas* 12,074 15 Fred Taylor 11,540 16 John Riggins* 11,352 17 Corey Dillon 11,241 18 O.J. Simpson* 11,236 19 Warrick Dunn 10,967 20 Ricky Watters 10,643 Back to news