Entering Sunday’s regular season finale, Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay needed just 42 rushing yards to reach 1,000 on the season. The former Colorado Buffaloes great reached that milestone and more to become the first undrafted player in NFL history with consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons to begin his career. “It was probably the toughest 1,000 yards I’ve ever had to get in my life, when it comes to football.” Lindsay told NFL.com following the game. “Everything happens for a reason, and I got to showcase my toughness and my ability to be an every-down back.”
Congrats Phillip Lindsay! Only undrafted player in NFL history to gain over 1k yards rushing in his first 2 years. So proud of you @I_CU_boy! pic.twitter.com/AzcgUgsJRC
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) December 30, 2019
Lindsay finished with 53 rushing yards in the 16-15 win over the Oakland Raiders, putting him at 1,011 yards for his sophomore campaign. He also became the fourth Broncos running back to record back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons, joining Bobby Humphrey (1989-90), Terrell Davis (1995-98) and Clinton Portis (2002-03).
“That’s a hell of an accomplishment,” Broncos Head Coach Vic Fangio said of Lindsay’s milestone. “It’s also not a very good accomplishment for all the people that bypassed him in the draft.”
Of the 256 players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, 20 were running backs. Through their first two seasons, Phillip Lindsay has more rushing yards (2,048) than all but two of the running backs drafted in 2018. Saquon Barkley, the number two overall pick by the New York Giants has rushed for 2,310 yards, while Nick Chubb, a second-round selection by the Cleveland Browns, leads the way with 2,490.