Putting Up Numbers· NFL

The Chargers' best running backs since 1966

LaDainian Tomlinson has the most rushing yards of the 144 running backs who played with the Chargers since 1966, 12,492 in 141 games. Austin Ekeler is 2nd with 4,355.

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The Chargers' running backs this season

By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2000s · 1990s · 1980s · 1970s · 1966–69

Compare with in · side by side

The Chargers' best running backs since 1966
PlacePlayerrushing yardsrushing TDsscrimmage yards
1LaDainian Tomlinson2001 – 2009 · 141 games12,49213816,442
2Austin Ekeler2017 – 2023 · 101 games4,355398,239
3Marion Butts1989 – 1993 · 76 games4,297314,704
4Melvin Gordon2015 – 2019 · 67 games4,240366,113
5Ryan Mathews2010 – 2014 · 60 games4,058235,168
6Natrone Means1993 – 1999 · 59 games3,885344,367
7Chuck Muncie1980 – 1984 · 51 games3,309434,546
8Don Woods1974 – 1980 · 75 games2,858164,045
9Dickie Post1967 – 1970 · 49 games2,519173,310
10Gary Anderson1985 – 1988 · 54 games2,250114,228
11Mike Garrett1970 – 1973 · 46 games2,235113,014
12Rod Bernstine1987 – 1992 · 63 games2,007172,895
13Rickey Young1975 – 1977 · 42 games1,922132,952
14Terrell Fletcher1995 – 2002 · 107 games1,867103,744
15Tim Spencer1985 – 1990 · 78 games1,792192,224
16Ronnie Harmon1990 – 1995 · 96 games1,63965,578
17Cid Edwards1972 – 1974 · 35 games1,54962,372
18James Brooks1981 – 1983 · 38 games1,471122,081
19Mike Tolbert2008 – 2011 · 53 games1,410202,422
20Bo Matthews1974 – 1979 · 78 games1,372111,761
21Clarence Williams1977 – 1981 · 62 games1,327172,054
22Brad Hubbert1967 – 1970 · 35 games1,27091,582
23Michael Turner2004 – 2007 · 47 games1,25761,328
24Earnest Jackson1983 – 1984 · 28 games1,21881,482
25Darren Sproles2005 – 2010 · 78 games1,15762,557

rushing yards by decade

2020s

  1. Austin Ekeler2020 – 2023 · 57 games2,984
  2. Joshua Kelley2020 – 2023 · 50 games1,148
  3. › Kimani Vidal2024 – 2026 · 28 games930
  4. J.K. Dobbins2024 · 13 games905
  5. › Omarion Hampton2025 – 2026 · 16 games854

2010s

  1. Melvin Gordon2015 – 2019 · 67 games4,240
  2. Ryan Mathews2010 – 2014 · 60 games4,058
  3. Austin Ekeler2017 – 2019 · 44 games1,371
  4. Mike Tolbert2010 – 2011 · 30 games1,225
  5. Danny Woodhead2013 – 2016 · 37 games919

2000s

  1. LaDainian Tomlinson2001 – 2009 · 141 games12,492
  2. Michael Turner2004 – 2007 · 47 games1,257
  3. Darren Sproles2005 – 2009 · 62 games887
  4. Terrell Fletcher2000 – 2002 · 35 games615
  5. Jesse Chatman2002 – 2004 · 35 games428

1990s

  1. Natrone Means1993 – 1999 · 59 games3,885
  2. Marion Butts1990 – 1993 · 61 games3,614
  3. Rod Bernstine1990 – 1992 · 34 games1,854
  4. Ronnie Harmon1990 – 1995 · 96 games1,639
  5. Terrell Fletcher1995 – 1999 · 72 games1,252

1980s

  1. Chuck Muncie1980 – 1984 · 51 games3,309
  2. Gary Anderson1985 – 1988 · 54 games2,250
  3. Tim Spencer1985 – 1989 · 74 games1,792
  4. James Brooks1981 – 1983 · 38 games1,471
  5. Earnest Jackson1983 – 1984 · 28 games1,218

1970s

  1. Don Woods1974 – 1979 · 73 games2,848
  2. Mike Garrett1970 – 1973 · 46 games2,235
  3. Rickey Young1975 – 1977 · 42 games1,922
  4. Cid Edwards1972 – 1974 · 35 games1,549
  5. Bo Matthews1974 – 1979 · 78 games1,372

1966–69

  1. Dickie Post1967 – 1969 · 40 games2,294
  2. Brad Hubbert1967 – 1969 · 27 games1,095
  3. Gene Foster1966 – 1969 · 40 games1,060
  4. Russ Smith1967 – 1969 · 32 games752
  5. Paul Lowe1966 – 1968 · 21 games723

Also with the Chargers: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · Los Angeles Chargers record book

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Method

  • Every running back who played with the Chargers since 1966, ranked by rushing yards over his games there. Regular-season games only.
  • The numbers here start in 1966, so a running back who played with the Chargers before then isn't here.
  • A decade counts his rushing yards with the Chargers in its seasons.