The Lions' best running backs since 1966
Barry Sanders has the most rushing yards of the 157 running backs who played with the Lions since 1966, 15,269 in 153 games. Billy Sims is 2nd with 5,106. Jahmyr Gibbs is 4th, with 4,353; 753 more passes Dexter Bussey for 3rd.
The Lions' running backs this season
- Jahmyr Gibbs7 games, 110.4 a game4,353 with the Lions, the 4th-most since 1966. 753 more puts him past Dexter Bussey into a tie for 2nd.773rushing yards
- Sione Vaki7 games, 17.3 a game139 with the Lions.121rushing yards
By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2000s · 1990s · 1980s · 1970s · 1966–69
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | rushing yards | rushing TDs | scrimmage yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry Sanders1989 – 1998 · 153 games | 15,269 | 99 | 18,190 |
| 2 | Billy Sims1980 – 1984 · 60 games | 5,106 | 42 | 7,178 |
| 3 | Dexter Bussey1974 – 1984 · 150 games | 5,105 | 18 | 6,721 |
| 4 | Jahmyr Gibbs2023 – 2026 · still playing | 4,353 | 47 | 6,087 |
| +773 this season · passes Dexter Bussey for 3rd in 7 games at his pace | ||||
| 5 | Altie Taylor1969 – 1975 · 91 games | 4,297 | 24 | 5,820 |
| 6 | James Jones1983 – 1988 · 85 games | 3,452 | 23 | 5,770 |
| 7 | Mel Farr1967 – 1973 · 69 games | 3,072 | 26 | 4,446 |
| 8 | Kevin Jones2004 – 2007 · 53 games | 3,067 | 24 | 4,073 |
| 9 | James Stewart2000 – 2002 · 41 games | 2,890 | 15 | 3,752 |
| 10 | David Montgomery2023 – 2025 · 45 games | 2,506 | 33 | 3,156 |
| 11 | Steve Owens1970 – 1974 · 53 games | 2,451 | 20 | 3,312 |
| 12 | Kevin Smith2008 – 2012 · 51 games | 2,337 | 17 | 3,413 |
| 13 | Joique Bell2012 – 2016 · 62 games | 2,235 | 22 | 3,873 |
| 14 | Horace King1975 – 1983 · 123 games | 2,081 | 9 | 3,660 |
| 15 | D'Andre Swift2020 – 2022 · 40 games | 1,680 | 18 | 2,878 |
| 16 | Jamaal Williams2021 – 2022 · 30 games | 1,667 | 20 | 1,897 |
| 17 | Garry James1986 – 1988 · 40 games | 1,510 | 12 | 2,326 |
| 18 | Rick Kane1977 – 1985 · 113 games | 1,443 | 12 | 2,197 |
| 19 | Reggie Bush2013 – 2014 · 25 games | 1,303 | 6 | 2,062 |
| 20 | Ameer Abdullah2015 – 2018 · 35 games | 1,251 | 6 | 1,671 |
| 21 | Kerryon Johnson2018 – 2020 · 32 games | 1,225 | 8 | 1,752 |
| 22 | Shawn Bryson2003 – 2006 · 53 games | 1,177 | 4 | 2,221 |
| 23 | Maurice Morris2009 – 2011 · 40 games | 1,036 | 8 | 1,646 |
| 24 | Theo Riddick2013 – 2018 · 81 games | 1,023 | 5 | 3,261 |
| 25 | Bill Triplett1968 – 1972 · 63 games | 969 | 4 | 1,297 |
rushing yards by decade
2020s
- › Jahmyr Gibbs2023 – 2026 · 56 games4,353
- David Montgomery2023 – 2025 · 45 games2,506
- D'Andre Swift2020 – 2022 · 40 games1,680
- Jamaal Williams2021 – 2022 · 30 games1,667
- Craig Reynolds2021 – 2025 · 36 games654
2010s
- Joique Bell2012 – 2016 · 62 games2,235
- Reggie Bush2013 – 2014 · 25 games1,303
- Ameer Abdullah2015 – 2018 · 35 games1,251
- Kerryon Johnson2018 – 2019 · 18 games1,044
- Theo Riddick2013 – 2018 · 81 games1,023
2000s
- Kevin Jones2004 – 2007 · 53 games3,067
- James Stewart2000 – 2002 · 41 games2,890
- Kevin Smith2008 – 2009 · 29 games1,722
- Shawn Bryson2003 – 2006 · 53 games1,177
- Artose Pinner2003 – 2005 · 25 games622
1990s
- Barry Sanders1990 – 1998 · 138 games13,799
- Ron Rivers1995 – 1999 · 69 games722
- Greg Hill1999 · 14 games542
- Derrick Moore1993 – 1994 · 29 games457
- Eric Lynch1992 – 1996 · 37 games209
1980s
- Billy Sims1980 – 1984 · 60 games5,106
- James Jones1983 – 1988 · 85 games3,452
- Dexter Bussey1980 – 1984 · 72 games1,642
- Garry James1986 – 1988 · 40 games1,510
- Barry Sanders1989 · 15 games1,470
1970s
- Altie Taylor1970 – 1975 · 81 games3,949
- Dexter Bussey1974 – 1979 · 78 games3,463
- Steve Owens1970 – 1974 · 53 games2,451
- Horace King1975 – 1979 · 66 games1,926
- Mel Farr1970 – 1973 · 42 games1,370
1966–69
- Mel Farr1967 – 1969 · 27 games1,702
- Tom Nowatzke1966 – 1969 · 36 games916
- Bill Triplett1968 – 1969 · 21 games761
- Amos Marsh1966 – 1967 · 22 games662
- Nick Eddy1968 – 1969 · 15 games448
Also with the Lions: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · Detroit Lions record book
Method
- Every running back who played with the Lions 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 Lions before then isn't here.
- A decade counts his rushing yards with the Lions in its seasons.