NFL Punt Return Yards Career Leaders (since 1941)
Build your own custom leaderboards with Stathead Football.
+ Indicates Hall of Famer
Leaders
| Rank | Player | Yds | Years | Tm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Mitchell | 4,999 | 1990-2003 | 3TM |
| 2 | Dave Meggett | 3,708 | 1989-1998 | 3TM |
| 3 | Devin Hester+ | 3,695 | 2006-2016 | 4TM |
| 4 | Darrien Gordon | 3,601 | 1993-2002 | 5TM |
| 5 | Eric Metcalf | 3,453 | 1989-2002 | 7TM |
| 6 | Tim Brown+ | 3,320 | 1988-2004 | 2TM |
| 7 | Billy Johnson | 3,317 | 1974-1988 | 3TM |
| 8 | Jermaine Lewis | 3,282 | 1996-2004 | 3TM |
| 9 | Vai Sikahema | 3,169 | 1986-1993 | 3TM |
| 10 | Allen Rossum | 3,056 | 1998-2009 | 6TM |
| 11 | Rick Upchurch | 3,008 | 1975-1983 | den |
| 12 | Glyn Milburn | 2,984 | 1993-2001 | 4TM |
| 13 | Darren Sproles | 2,961 | 2005-2019 | 3TM |
| 14 | Desmond Howard | 2,895 | 1992-2002 | 5TM |
| 15 | J.T. Smith | 2,764 | 1978-1990 | 3TM |
| 16 | Mel Gray | 2,753 | 1986-1997 | 4TM |
| 17 | Jacoby Jones | 2,688 | 2007-2015 | 4TM |
| 18 | Mike Fuller | 2,660 | 1975-1982 | 2TM |
| 19 | Troy Brown | 2,625 | 1993-2007 | nwe |
| 20 | Ted Ginn Jr. | 2,624 | 2007-2020 | 6TM |
| 21 | Dennis Northcutt | 2,592 | 2000-2009 | 3TM |
| 22 | Wes Welker | 2,584 | 2004-2015 | 5TM |
| 23 | Kelvin Martin | 2,567 | 1987-1996 | 3TM |
| 24 | Karl Williams | 2,565 | 1996-2004 | 2TM |
| 25 | Antwaan Randle El | 2,557 | 2002-2010 | 2TM |
| 26 | Marcus Sherels | 2,503 | 2010-2019 | 2TM |
| 27 | Josh Cribbs | 2,375 | 2005-2014 | 3TM |
| 28 | Rod Woodson+ | 2,362 | 1987-2003 | 4TM |
| 29 | Kevin Williams | 2,295 | 1993-2000 | 4TM |
| 30 | Dante Hall | 2,261 | 2000-2008 | 2TM |
| 31 | Emlen Tunnell+ | 2,209 | 1948-1961 | 2TM |
| 32 | Speedy Duncan | 2,201 | 1964-1974 | 2TM |
| 33 | Deion Sanders+ | 2,199 | 1989-2005 | 5TM |
| 34 | Alvin Haymond | 2,148 | 1964-1973 | 5TM |
| 35 | Irving Fryar | 2,055 | 1984-2000 | 4TM |
| 36 | R.W. McQuarters | 2,020 | 1998-2008 | 4TM |
| 37 | Tamarick Vanover | 2,016 | 1995-2002 | 2TM |
| 38 | Greg Pruitt | 2,007 | 1973-1984 | 2TM |
| 39 | Julian Edelman | 1,986 | 2009-2020 | nwe |
| 40 | Mike Nelms | 1,948 | 1980-1984 | was |
| Kalif Raymond | 1,948 | 2016-2025 | 5TM | |
| 42 | Adam Jones | 1,944 | 2005-2018 | 4TM |
| 43 | Brandon Tate | 1,924 | 2009-2018 | 4TM |
| 44 | Roscoe Parrish | 1,920 | 2005-2012 | 2TM |
| 45 | Dwayne Harris | 1,906 | 2011-2020 | 4TM |
| 46 | Andre Roberts | 1,880 | 2010-2022 | 9TM |
| 47 | Leo Lewis | 1,868 | 1981-1991 | 2TM |
| 48 | Danny Amendola | 1,860 | 2009-2021 | 5TM |
| 49 | Phil McConkey | 1,832 | 1984-1989 | 4TM |
| 50 | Michael Lewis | 1,818 | 2001-2007 | 2TM |
| 51 | Patrick Peterson | 1,816 | 2011-2023 | 3TM |
| 52 | Bill Thompson | 1,814 | 1969-1981 | den |
| 53 | Leon Washington | 1,793 | 2006-2014 | 4TM |
| 54 | Ron Smith | 1,788 | 1965-1974 | 5TM |
| 55 | Bruce Harper | 1,784 | 1977-1984 | nyj |
| 56 | Tim Dwight | 1,773 | 1998-2007 | 5TM |
| Az-Zahir Hakim | 1,773 | 1998-2006 | 3TM | |
| 58 | Antonio Brown | 1,761 | 2010-2021 | 3TM |
| 59 | Neal Colzie | 1,759 | 1975-1983 | 3TM |
| 60 | Gerald McNeil | 1,717 | 1986-1990 | 2TM |
| 61 | Steve Smith Sr. | 1,684 | 2001-2016 | 2TM |
| 62 | Robbie Martin | 1,670 | 1981-1986 | 2TM |
| 63 | Clarence Verdin | 1,650 | 1986-1994 | 3TM |
| 64 | Reggie Barlow | 1,639 | 1996-2003 | 2TM |
| 65 | Walter Stanley | 1,619 | 1985-1992 | 5TM |
| 66 | Leon Johnson | 1,617 | 1997-2003 | 3TM |
| 67 | Freddie Solomon | 1,614 | 1975-1985 | 2TM |
| 68 | David Palmer | 1,610 | 1994-2000 | min |
| 69 | Dana McLemore | 1,598 | 1982-1987 | 2TM |
| 70 | Willie Drewrey | 1,597 | 1985-1993 | 2TM |
| 71 | Derrick Mason | 1,590 | 1997-2011 | 4TM |
| 72 | Howard Stevens | 1,559 | 1973-1977 | 2TM |
| 73 | Danny Reece | 1,554 | 1976-1980 | tam |
| 74 | Eddie Kennison | 1,528 | 1996-2008 | 5TM |
| 75 | Henry Ellard | 1,527 | 1983-1998 | 3TM |
| 76 | Nate Burleson | 1,523 | 2003-2013 | 3TM |
| 77 | John Taylor | 1,517 | 1987-1995 | sfo |
| 78 | Bill Dudley+ | 1,515 | 1942-1953 | 3TM |
| 79 | Theo Bell | 1,511 | 1976-1985 | 2TM |
| Eddie Brown | 1,511 | 1974-1979 | 3TM | |
| Pete Mandley | 1,511 | 1984-1990 | 2TM | |
| 82 | DeAndre Carter | 1,508 | 2018-2025 | 7TM |
| 83 | Jeremy Kerley | 1,503 | 2011-2018 | 3TM |
| 84 | Todd Kinchen | 1,493 | 1992-1998 | 3TM |
| 85 | Tavon Austin | 1,483 | 2013-2021 | 4TM |
| Mark Jones | 1,483 | 2004-2009 | 4TM | |
| 87 | Bobby Joe Edmonds | 1,471 | 1986-1995 | 3TM |
| 88 | Larry Marshall | 1,466 | 1972-1978 | 4TM |
| 89 | LeRoy Irvin | 1,457 | 1980-1990 | 2TM |
| 90 | Fulton Walker | 1,437 | 1981-1986 | 2TM |
| 91 | George McAfee+ | 1,431 | 1940-1950 | chi |
| Chad Morton | 1,431 | 2000-2006 | 4TM | |
| 93 | Johnny Bailey | 1,420 | 1990-1995 | 3TM |
| 94 | Tyrone Hughes | 1,411 | 1993-1998 | 3TM |
| 95 | Santana Moss | 1,398 | 2001-2014 | 2TM |
| 96 | Jamal Agnew | 1,394 | 2017-2025 | 3TM |
| 97 | Willie Wood+ | 1,391 | 1960-1971 | gnb |
| 98 | Dexter McCluster | 1,388 | 2010-2016 | 3TM |
| 99 | Eddie Payton | 1,387 | 1977-1982 | 4TM |
| 100 | Gunner Olszewski | 1,386 | 2019-2025 | 3TM |
| 101 | Claude Gibson | 1,381 | 1961-1965 | 2TM |
| Mike Martin | 1,381 | 1983-1989 | cin | |
| 103 | B.J. Sams | 1,378 | 2004-2008 | 2TM |
| 104 | Stump Mitchell | 1,377 | 1981-1989 | crd |
| 105 | Deltha O'Neal | 1,370 | 2000-2008 | 3TM |
| 106 | Winslow Oliver | 1,364 | 1996-2000 | 2TM |
| 107 | Jo-Jo Townsell | 1,360 | 1985-1990 | nyj |
| 108 | Dexter Carter | 1,358 | 1990-1996 | 2TM |
| 109 | Jake Scott | 1,357 | 1970-1978 | 2TM |
| 110 | Eddie Royal | 1,354 | 2008-2016 | 3TM |
| 111 | Joey Galloway | 1,349 | 1995-2010 | 5TM |
| 112 | Alex Erickson | 1,344 | 2016-2024 | 5TM |
| 113 | Ray-Ray McCloud | 1,326 | 2018-2025 | 6TM |
| 114 | Eric Weems | 1,324 | 2007-2017 | 3TM |
| 115 | Bruce Taylor | 1,323 | 1970-1977 | sfo |
| 116 | DeSean Jackson | 1,315 | 2008-2022 | 6TM |
| 117 | Butch Johnson | 1,313 | 1976-1985 | 2TM |
| 118 | Lem Barney+ | 1,312 | 1967-1977 | det |
| 119 | Reggie Swinton | 1,311 | 2001-2005 | 3TM |
| 120 | Terrence Wilkins | 1,307 | 1999-2006 | 2TM |
| 121 | Eric Guliford | 1,300 | 1993-1998 | 3TM |
| 122 | Patrick Crayton | 1,291 | 2004-2011 | 2TM |
| 123 | Devin Duvernay | 1,284 | 2020-2025 | 3TM |
| Cliff Hicks | 1,284 | 1987-1995 | 4TM | |
| 125 | Eddie Drummond | 1,280 | 2002-2007 | 2TM |
| 126 | Marc Mariani | 1,275 | 2010-2016 | 2TM |
| 127 | Charlie Rogers | 1,248 | 1999-2003 | 3TM |
| 128 | George Atkinson | 1,247 | 1968-1979 | 2TM |
| 129 | Stefan Logan | 1,243 | 2009-2012 | 2TM |
| 130 | Troy Walters | 1,241 | 2000-2007 | 4TM |
| 131 | Travis Benjamin | 1,236 | 2012-2021 | 3TM |
| 132 | Louis Lipps | 1,234 | 1984-1992 | 2TM |
| 133 | Wally Henry | 1,231 | 1977-1982 | phi |
| 134 | Jakeem Grant | 1,228 | 2016-2021 | 2TM |
| 135 | Davone Bess | 1,215 | 2008-2013 | 2TM |
| 136 | Antonio Chatman | 1,207 | 2003-2008 | 2TM |
| 137 | Lemar Parrish | 1,205 | 1970-1982 | 3TM |
| 138 | Lionel James | 1,193 | 1984-1988 | sdg |
| 139 | Dennis McKinnon | 1,191 | 1983-1990 | 2TM |
| 140 | Tiki Barber | 1,181 | 1997-2006 | nyg |
| 141 | Marvin Mims | 1,172 | 2023-2025 | den |
| 142 | Mike Haynes+ | 1,168 | 1976-1989 | 2TM |
| 143 | Deonte Harty | 1,160 | 2019-2024 | 3TM |
| 144 | Bob Hayes+ | 1,158 | 1965-1975 | 2TM |
| 145 | Leon Bright | 1,149 | 1981-1985 | 2TM |
| 146 | Jamison Crowder | 1,136 | 2015-2024 | 3TM |
| 147 | Marcus Jones | 1,132 | 2022-2025 | nwe |
| 148 | Braxton Berrios | 1,130 | 2019-2025 | 3TM |
| 149 | O.J. McDuffie | 1,127 | 1993-2000 | mia |
| 150 | Jeff Fisher | 1,125 | 1981-1984 | chi |
| 151 | Golden Tate | 1,119 | 2010-2020 | 4TM |
| 152 | Carl Roaches | 1,116 | 1980-1985 | 2TM |
| 153 | Jeff Burris | 1,103 | 1994-2003 | 3TM |
| 154 | Charlie West | 1,099 | 1968-1979 | 3TM |
| 155 | Andre Hastings | 1,086 | 1993-2000 | 3TM |
| 156 | Jack Christiansen+ | 1,084 | 1951-1958 | det |
| 157 | Tyler Lockett | 1,078 | 2015-2025 | 3TM |
| 158 | Phillip Buchanon | 1,076 | 2002-2011 | 5TM |
| 159 | Chris Carr | 1,073 | 2005-2013 | 5TM |
| 160 | Bosh Pritchard | 1,072 | 1942-1951 | 3TM |
| 161 | Rodger Bird | 1,063 | 1966-1968 | rai |
| 162 | Amani Toomer | 1,060 | 1996-2008 | nyg |
| 163 | Bobby Engram | 1,059 | 1996-2009 | 3TM |
| Desmond King | 1,059 | 2017-2024 | 5TM | |
| 165 | Tyreek Hill | 1,055 | 2016-2025 | 2TM |
| 166 | Trent Taylor | 1,051 | 2017-2024 | 3TM |
| 167 | Javier Arenas | 1,029 | 2010-2014 | 3TM |
| Rickie Harris | 1,029 | 1965-1972 | 2TM | |
| 169 | Nyheim Hines | 1,026 | 2018-2025 | 4TM |
| Woodley Lewis | 1,026 | 1950-1960 | 3TM | |
| Dedric Ward | 1,026 | 1997-2004 | 5TM | |
| 172 | Leodis McKelvin | 1,021 | 2008-2016 | 2TM |
| 173 | Quan Cosby | 1,014 | 2009-2012 | 3TM |
| Rashid Shaheed | 1,014 | 2022-2025 | 2TM | |
| 175 | Gerald Willhite | 1,012 | 1982-1988 | den |
| 176 | Jim Leonhard | 998 | 2005-2014 | 5TM |
| 177 | Leroy Kelly+ | 990 | 1964-1973 | cle |
| 178 | Tarik Cohen | 985 | 2017-2020 | chi |
| Darius Reynaud | 985 | 2008-2013 | 4TM | |
| 180 | Mack Herron | 982 | 1973-1975 | 2TM |
| 181 | Jon Arnett | 981 | 1957-1966 | 2TM |
| 182 | Johnnie Lee Higgins | 973 | 2007-2010 | rai |
| 183 | Tom Watkins | 970 | 1961-1968 | 3TM |
| 184 | Ralph McGill | 969 | 1972-1979 | 2TM |
| 185 | Stanley Morgan | 960 | 1977-1990 | 2TM |
| 186 | Glen Edwards | 959 | 1971-1981 | 2TM |
| 187 | Abe Woodson | 956 | 1958-1966 | 2TM |
| 188 | Bill Bradley | 953 | 1969-1977 | 2TM |
| 189 | Dick James | 952 | 1956-1965 | 3TM |
| 190 | Jim Cason | 948 | 1948-1956 | 2TM |
| 191 | Kevin Faulk | 943 | 1999-2011 | nwe |
| 192 | Brandon Banks | 937 | 2010-2012 | was |
| 193 | Pharoh Cooper | 936 | 2016-2022 | 5TM |
| Terry Metcalf | 936 | 1973-1981 | 2TM | |
| 195 | Brandon Powell | 923 | 2018-2024 | 4TM |
| 196 | Hugh McElhenny+ | 920 | 1952-1964 | 4TM |
| Keith Moody | 920 | 1976-1980 | 2TM | |
| 198 | Marcus Thigpen | 919 | 2012-2015 | 4TM |
| 199 | Al Carmichael | 912 | 1953-1961 | 2TM |
| 200 | John Sciarra | 909 | 1978-1983 | phi |
| 201 | Steve Breaston | 906 | 2007-2012 | 2TM |
| 202 | Dick Christy | 905 | 1958-1963 | 3TM |
| 203 | Randall Cobb | 903 | 2011-2023 | 4TM |
| 204 | Don Paul | 902 | 1950-1958 | 2TM |
| 205 | Billy Grimes | 901 | 1949-1952 | 2TM |
| Dino Hall | 901 | 1979-1983 | cle | |
| 207 | Britain Covey | 895 | 2022-2025 | phi |
| 208 | Floyd Little+ | 893 | 1967-1975 | den |
| Johnny Morris | 893 | 1958-1967 | chi | |
| 210 | Jeff Groth | 887 | 1979-1985 | 3TM |
| 211 | Greg Dortch | 886 | 2019-2025 | 2TM |
| 212 | Micah Hyde | 884 | 2013-2023 | 2TM |
| Jarvis Landry | 884 | 2014-2022 | 3TM | |
| 214 | Eric Parker | 881 | 2002-2006 | sdg |
| 215 | Nate Jacquet | 877 | 1997-2001 | 4TM |
| 216 | Abner Haynes | 875 | 1960-1967 | 4TM |
| 217 | Jeremy Ross | 874 | 2012-2016 | 6TM |
| 218 | Steve Schubert | 866 | 1974-1979 | 2TM |
| 219 | Charley Trippi+ | 864 | 1947-1955 | crd |
| 220 | Paul Skansi | 863 | 1983-1991 | 2TM |
| 221 | Chester Rogers | 862 | 2016-2022 | 3TM |
| 222 | Keshawn Martin | 858 | 2012-2016 | 3TM |
| 223 | Willard Harrell | 854 | 1975-1984 | 2TM |
| Kenny Johnson | 854 | 1980-1989 | 2TM | |
| 225 | Jackie Wallace | 852 | 1974-1979 | 3TM |
| 226 | Reno Mahe | 851 | 2003-2007 | phi |
| 227 | Bill Butler | 850 | 1959-1964 | 4TM |
| Carl Taseff | 850 | 1951-1962 | 4TM | |
| 229 | De'Anthony Thomas | 844 | 2014-2019 | 2TM |
| 230 | Paul Johns | 843 | 1981-1984 | sea |
| 231 | Mel Renfro+ | 842 | 1964-1977 | dal |
| 232 | Kermit Alexander Jr. | 835 | 1963-1973 | 3TM |
| Jaelon Darden | 835 | 2021-2024 | 3TM | |
| 234 | Jacquez Green | 832 | 1998-2002 | 3TM |
| 235 | Lew Barnes | 830 | 1986-1989 | 3TM |
| Tommy Vigorito | 830 | 1981-1985 | mia | |
| Chris Warren | 830 | 1990-2000 | 3TM | |
| 238 | Rod Harris | 826 | 1989-1991 | 3TM |
| 239 | Mecole Hardman | 823 | 2019-2025 | 3TM |
| 240 | Jim Bertelsen | 821 | 1972-1976 | ram |
| 241 | Phil Epps | 819 | 1982-1989 | 2TM |
| 242 | Pete Athas | 818 | 1971-1976 | 4TM |
| 243 | Vernon Turner | 817 | 1990-1995 | 4TM |
| Jimmy Williams | 817 | 2001-2006 | 2TM | |
| 245 | Nate Clements | 816 | 2001-2012 | 3TM |
| 246 | Vitamin Smith | 814 | 1949-1953 | ram |
| 247 | Ernie Steele | 809 | 1942-1948 | phi |
| 248 | Alvin Pearman | 805 | 2005-2009 | 3TM |
| 249 | Chuck Fenenbock | 801 | 1943-1948 | 3TM |
| 250 | Reggie Bush | 794 | 2006-2016 | 5TM |













We're Social...for Statheads
Site Last Updated: Monday, June 8, 2:33PM
Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction?
Subscribe to our Free Email Newsletter
Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE
Your All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database
Do you have a sports website? Or write about sports? We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Find out more.