Houston Texans: All-time leaders in rushing yards

The Houston Texans all-time leaders in rushing yards

The Houston Texans entered the NFL in 2002 and haven’t had many dominating running backs, at least many who showed long-term durability.

Today’s NFL is more of a work of running back by committee. Some teams work under the philosophy that they can just plug someone in at the position. The players on this list show that both a premier back, or someone you plug in, can have success.

The Texans have never placed much emphasis on running backs early in drafts. They’ve never selected a running back in the first round and only taken one in the second round twice.

One of those running backs taken in the second round is the fifth all-time on this list.

Houston Texans all-time leader in rushing yards – No. 5: Ben Tate

1,992 Rushing Yards

Ben Tate was drafted out of Auburn in the second round of the 2010 NFL draft. He missed his entire rookie season due to an injury.

In 2011, he was part of a potent running attack, adding 942 rushing yards to the 1,224 yards that the starter, Arian Foster racked up that season.

In 2013, he had another decent season filling in for the injured Foster, compiling 771 rushing yards. Over his three active years in Houston, Tate served mostly as a backup, only started nine times. He still produced 1,992 yards rushing and ten rushing touchdowns.

He also averaged 4.9 yards per carry with the Texans and an incredible 5.2 for his career. It is puzzling why someone with those numbers didn’t have a more prominent career.

After he left the Texans, he only played in 11 games for two teams in 2014 and hasn’t played in the league since.