There is no truer mark of both consistency and durability among running backs than one’s place on the all-time rushing list.
With 70 yards on the ground Sunday afternoon in Dallas, Steven Jackson moved four spots closer to the top, leaping past four elite former NFL runners— Priest Holmes, Gerald Riggs, Roger Craig and Herschel Walker— in one day’s work.
Passing these four men was no small feat. Between them, the runners Steven eclipsed on Sunday went to 12 Pro Bowls and were chosen four times for 1st Team All-Pro status. No. 39 now stands alone in 35th with 8,238 rushing yards in his career, just 24 yards away from Earnest Byner for 34th.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Steven’s place on the all-time list is how quickly he reached it. Each player that SJ passed on Sunday needed at least 10 NFL seasons to reach their career marks. Halfway through his eighth year in the league, Steven has shown a type of durability and consistent success that is rare among running backs, with no signs of stopping.
At just 28 years old, Steven also now ranks fourth among active running backs in rushing yards behind only LaDanian Tomlinson, Thomas Jones and Ricky Williams, all three of whom are above 30 years of age.
With another 1,000+ yard season, Steven should climb at least three more spots on the all-time rushing list this year.