ATLANTA -- Falcons running back Warrick Dunn reached the the 10,000 career rushing yard mark Thursday in a 31-13 loss to the Colts.
Dunn needed less than 30 yards to hit the milestone, which he passed on a 2-yard run with 14:34 left in the second quarter. Dunn remains in third place on the Falcons all-time rushing list, but is inching closer to William Andrews (5,986 yards). Dunn now has 10,044 rushing yards in his career.
After getting the yards, Dunn tossed the ball to the sideline and lined up in the backfield for another snap.
"Ten thousand yards rushing means a lot," Dunn said. "Over the years all of the guys have helped me get to this point. But, for me, the most important thing is winning. I'm happy about rushing for 10,000 yards but, at the same time, it's not as sweet as if we had won the football game."
Dunn is the 22nd player to reach the 10,000-yard plateau and the second running back to do so this season. He is the only active running back to have recorded more than 9,500 rushing yards and 3,800 receiving yards putting him in an elite category shared by Marshall Faulk, Marcus Allen, Tiki Barber, Walter Payton, Thurman Thomas and Ricky Waters.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Dunn rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the third consecutive year last season. He has combined for more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) in nine of his 10 NFL seasons.
At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Dunn was viewed by many experts as not big enough for the NFL.
He now owns some of the biggest numbers in NFL history.
"It is a remarkable feat, especially when you look at his size and stature" Head Coach Bobby Petrino said. "It says a lot about him, his durability, his longevity and just how good a football player he is. I am happy to be a part of it."
"He still makes it happen day-in and day-out," said fullback Ovie Mughelli last week. "He's definitely highly respected in this league."
Career Rushing Yards, NFL*
| Rank | Player | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmitt Smith | 18,355 |
| 2 | Walter Payton | 16,726 |
| 3 | Barry Sanders | 15,269 |
| 4 | Curtis Martin | 14,101 |
| 5 | Jerome Bettis | 13,622 |
| 6 | Eric Dickerson | 13,259 |
| 7 | Tony Dorsett | 12,739 |
| 8 | Jim Brown | 12,312 |
| 9 | Marshall Faulk | 12,279 |
| 10 | Marcus Allen | 12,243 |
| 11 | Franco Harris | 12,120 |
| 12 | Thurman Thomas | 12,074 |
| 13 | John Riggins | 11,352 |
| 14 | Corey Dillon | 11,241 |
| 15 | O.J. Simpson | 11,236 |
| 16 | Edgerrin James | 11,117 |
| 17 | Ricky Watters | 10,643 |
| 18 | Tiki Barber | 10,048 |
| 19 | Eddie George | 10,441 |
| 20 | Ottis Anderson | 10,273 |
| 21 | Fred Taylor | 10,117 |
| 22 | Warrick Dunn | 10,044 |
* Active players marked in BOLD. Yardage totals as of Nov. 22, 2007
