Derrick Henry's climb up the NFL's all-time rushing list
Henry has run for 13,707 career yards, seventh in NFL history. Two more Hall of Famers fell in Week 9. Here's who's left above him, how many yards each one will take, and how long it could last.
Updated through Week 9 of the 2026 season.
The all-time rushing leaders
Career rushing yards, top 10 in NFL history. Bars are scaled to Emmitt Smith's record.
When does he pass each legend?
Pick a pace and see how many games it would take. The count starts with the Ravens' remaining 2026 games, then assumes 17-game seasons with no missed time.
Why this run is different
Nobody else in league history has reached 13,000 rushing yards and 100 rushing touchdowns while averaging at least 4.8 yards a carry.
Yards per carry for his career, behind only Barry Sanders (5.0) among the seven players above 13,700 yards.
Rushing touchdowns, third in NFL history behind Emmitt Smith (164) and LaDainian Tomlinson (145).
His projected 2026 total. It would be his fifth 1,000-yard season in a row and the eighth of his career.
Derrick Henry rushing record FAQ
Where does Derrick Henry rank on the NFL's all-time rushing list?
Henry is seventh with 13,707 career rushing yards through Week 9 of the 2026 season. He got there by passing Jerome Bettis (13,662) and LaDainian Tomlinson (13,684) in the Ravens' Week 9 game against Jacksonville.
How many yards does Henry need to pass Curtis Martin?
He needs 395 to move past Martin's 14,101 and into sixth. At about 77 yards a game, that's roughly six games, which puts it in range before the end of the 2026 regular season.
Can Derrick Henry break Emmitt Smith's career rushing record?
Smith's record is 18,355 yards, 4,648 ahead of Henry. At around 1,300 yards a season, Henry would need a little more than three seasons after this one, getting there early in the 2030 season at age 36. Along the way he would have to pass Peterson, Sanders, Gore and Payton.
Is Derrick Henry on pace for 1,000 yards in 2026?
Yes. His current pace projects to about 1,301 yards, which would be his fifth straight 1,000-yard season and his eighth overall.
Who are the NFL's top 10 career rushing leaders?
Emmitt Smith (18,355), Walter Payton (16,726), Frank Gore (16,000), Barry Sanders (15,269), Adrian Peterson (14,918), Curtis Martin (14,101), Derrick Henry (13,707), LaDainian Tomlinson (13,684), Jerome Bettis (13,662) and Eric Dickerson (13,259).