Minnesota Vikings: Top 10 backup running backs of all time

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30 Oct 1988: Running back Allen Rice of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /

Honorable Mentions

Allen Rice (1984–1990)

7 seasons
19 touchdowns
934 yards
3.0 yards/att

Allen Rice joined the Vikings as a fifth-round draft pick from Baylor. Starting only 15 of 89 games in his career, he was the backup to Alfred Anderson. Rice and Anderson shared the backfield at Baylor. Anderson was drafted two rounds earlier the same year. Rice’s best season came in 1988 when he rushed for 322 yards and scored six touchdowns in 4 starts in 16 games.

Brent McClanahan (1973–1979)

7 seasons
10 touchdowns
1,207 yards
3.3 yards/att

This one is a sentimental pick for me. Brent McClanahan spent his entire career with the Vikings backing up Chuck Foreman—third on the Vikings franchise list for career rushing yards. A fifth-round pick from Arizona State, McClanahan started 31 of 95 games for the Vikings.

In 1977 he started all 14 games alongside Foreman in the backfield. The only season the Vikings would not make the playoffs came in McClanahan’s final year with the team. He finished his career 29th on the Vikings career rushing list.

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