NFL Statistically Speaking – Leading Active Rushers

Father time caught up with some of the best running backs in recent NFL history in 2011. As LaDainian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones and Ricky Williams walk away from the game, they’ve left behind a rather ordinary group of running backs that make up the top 10 leading active rushers.

St. Louis’ workhorse back Steven Jackson (right) has more rushing yards at 9,093 than any other active running back. He’ll turn 29 in about 10 days, an indication he’s likely to have one or two more years of top-shelf performances. Most backs hit the wall at 30 years of age and their skills slip away. Tomlinson (32), Jones (33) Williams (34) found that out.

After Jackson, it’s a big drop to the rest of the list as no other back has passed 8,000 yards and only two have passes 7,000 yards.

With Jones gone, the Chiefs have Jamaal Charles at No. 30 and Peyton Hillis at No. 41 among current rushers.

Here’s the top 10 list of active NFL rushers:

*-UFA that plans to play in ’12 season. **-age as of July 11.