When the offensive team advances the ball by rushing the football, the player who carries the ball is given credit for the difference in progress measured in rushing yards.
This is an important statistic for running backs that contribute significantly to the passing attack.
Many teams have special lineups for passing plays in which running backs who are better receivers are substituted into the game.
Notable running backs known for yards from scrimmage include Roger Craig, the first National Football League (NFL) player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season, Walter Payton, the NFL career record holder among running backs (until broken by Emmitt Smith), and Chris Johnson, the NFL single-season record holder.
[2] Thurman Thomas once led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in four consecutive years.