Top 20 - Rushing Yards 03/03/2011 See All News Rushing Yards (at start of 2011 NFL Season) 1 Emmitt Smith* 18,355 Career Notes: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson is the highest ranked rusher among those players active in 2010. He added 914 yards to his career rushing total to jump from 8th place all-time at the start of the season to 6th place by season's end. Season at a glance: 2010 LEADER: Arian Foster, Houston Texans (1,616 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 2010 season Top 20 lists courtesy of Elias Sports Bureau Return to Top 20 at the Start of 2011>>> 2 Walter Payton* 16,726 3 Barry Sanders* 15,269 4 Curtis Martin 14,101 5 Jerome Bettis 13,662 6 LaDanian Tomlinson 13,404 7 Eric Dickerson* 13,259 8 Tony Dorsett* 12,739 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 11,695 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