NFL CAREER – Since Sproles has joined the Saints in 2011, he’s established himself as one of the most versatile performers on offense and special teams in franchise history. The 5-6, 190 pound all-purpose threat has been one of the NFL’s most dynamic players rushing, receiving and on kickoff and punt returns. Since 2007, no player has matched his 12,533 all-purpose yards. In his eight-year NFL career with 107 games played and only 15 starts, Sproles has career totals of 384 carries for 2,001 yards (5.2 avg.) with nine touchdowns and 307 receptions for 2,777 yards (9.0 avg.) with 25 touchdowns. Also one of the NFL’s premier return men on kickoffs and punts, Sproles has returned 316 kickoffs for 8,041 yards (25.4 avg.) with two touchdowns and returned 166 punts for 1,412 yards (8.6 avg.) with three touchdowns. His five combined (kickoff and punt) return touchdowns are fifth-most in the NFL since 2006.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with New Orleans (UFA-SD), 7/29/11; Agreed to terms with San Diego on one-year contract (RFA), 4/2/10; Signed Franchise tender from San Diego, 4/28/09; Designated Franchise Player by San Diego, 2/18/09; Placed on Injured Reserve by San Diego, 8/15/06; Agreed to four year contract with San Diego, 7/26/05; Chosen by San Diego in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft, 4/24/05.
HONORS – 2011: USA Today All-Joe; 2008: AFC Special Teams Player of the Month (September); Si.com Offensive Player of the Week (postseason week one). 2007: AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 10); USA Today AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 10); Pro Football Weekly NFL Player of the Week (Week 10).
2012 – Appeared in 13 games with a career-high six starts, missing three contests (11/5-11/18) with a hand injury. Carried 48 times for 244 yards (5.1 avg.) with one touchdown and a two-point conversion run, led all NFL running backs in receiving with 75 receptions for 667 yards and seven touchdowns, returned 23 punts for 183 yards (8.0 avg.) and brought back 18 kickoffs for 483 yards (26.8 avg.)...In opener vs. Washington, Sept. 9, started and posted five receptions for 35 yards with a fourth quarter TD and subsequent two-point conversion run. Also returned three kickoffs for 103 yards, including a season-long 48-yard runback…Had his 17th career performance of at least 200 all-purpose yards (202) at Carolina, Sept. 16, when he had career-highs in receptions and receiving yardage, catching 13 passes for 128 yards (9.8 avg.)…Led team in rushing with seven carries for 62 yards (8.9 avg.), including a career-long 47-yard carry vs. Kansas City, Sept. 23…Started at Green Bay, Sept. 30, and rushed five times for 20 yards, also adding five receptions for 44 yards with one TD…Started and rushed five times for 27 yards (5.4 avg.), adding four receptions for 32 yards, including a nine-yard TD and returned a punt 15 yards…Started at Denver, Oct. 28 and led team with seven receptions for 56 yards, including a 29-yard TD grab…Missed following three games after hand injury that required surgery was diagnosed following contest…Returned to action vs. San Francisco, Nov. 25 and led the team with seven receptions for 65 yards (9.3 avg.)…Caught four passes for 47 yards (9.4 avg.) and returned four punts for 62 yards (15.5 avg.) at Atlanta, Nov. 29…At N.Y. Giants, Dec. 9, carried five times for 56 yards (11.2 avg.) and one TD, including a long of 34 yards and also posted four receptions for 28 yards and one TD…Rushed five times for 22 yards, caught five passes for 21 yards and one TD and also brought back three punts for 38 yards vs. Tampa Bay, Dec. 16…Started and rushed nine times for 48 yards (5.3 avg.) and caught seven passes for 104 yards (14.9 avg.)…In finale vs. Carolina, Dec. 30, caught eight passes for 79 yards and one TD. 2011 – Appeared in all 16 games with four starts and set an NFL record with 2,696 all-purpose yards. Carried 87 times for a career-high and team-best 603 yards (6.9 avg.) with two touchdowns and ranked fifth in the NFC and seventh in the NFL in receiving with a career-high 86 receptions for 710 yards (8.3 avg.) with six touchdowns, leading running backs in catches. He finished ranked second in the NFL with 724 yards after the catch. Particularly effective in third down situations, where he made 25 receptions for 225 yards (9.0 avg.) and two scoring receptions to tie for third in the conference and seventh in the league. With nine total touchdowns, tied for 11th in the conference and 16th in the NFL. 1,313 total yards from scrimmage ranked first on the team, 11th in the NFC and 21st in the NFL. Accounted for 62 first downs to rank ninth in the conference and 16th in the league. On punt returns, had a 10.1 average, including a 72-yard touchdown in the NFL season opener at Green Bay, Sept. 8, and ranked third in the conference and sixth in the league on kickoff returns, averaging 27.2 yards per return. The only NFL player in the NFL in 2011 to score on a rush, reception and punt return. Started both postseason contests, rushing 13 times for 54 yards with two TDs, recording 19 receptions for 152 yards (8.0 avg.) with a 44-yard TD, while averaging 6.6 yards on punt returns and 23.0 yards on kickoff returns...Made an immediate impression in his Black and Gold debut in the NFL’s opener at Green Bay, Sept. 8, as he garnered 250 all-purpose yards, the highest single-game total by a Saint since 2008. Carried twice for seven yards, had a team-best seven receptions for 75 yards, returned two punts for a career-high 92 yards, including a 72-yard runback for a TD, and two kickoff returns for 76 yards, including a 57-yarder…Vs. Chicago, Sept. 18, garnered 85 all-purpose yards, fueled by a team-best eight receptions for 43 yards, including a 12-yard grab where he rolled along the sideline for a TD…Gained 193 all-purpose yards vs. Houston, Sept. 25, including a spectacular second quarter 30-yard run between the tackles for a TD…Oct. 2, at Jacksonville, gained 188 all-purpose yards in New Orleans’ first road victory of 2011. Carried seven times for 75 yards (10.7 avg.) and tied for second on the team in receiving with five grabs for 56 yards (11.2 avg.)…Oct. 9, at Carolina, gained 91 total yards from scrimmage and was team’s leading rusher with 11 carries for 51 yards. Had 190 all-purpose yards vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 23, on 12 carries for 88 yards and a fourth quarter 16-yard TD, six receptions for 19 yards and a second quarter six-yard score, and 83 yards in returns…Made a significant contribution on every facet of offense and special teams for the Saints in what would be the start of an eight-game winning streak to close out the regular season vs. Tampa Bay, Nov. 6. He had four carries for 42 yards, including a first quarter 35-yard blast that put the Saints in Tampa Bay territory to help set up their first TD, added five receptions for 57 yards, including a second quarter 21-yard pass play for a TD, returned a punt for 15 yards and added two kickoff returns for 54 yards…Vs. Detroit, Dec. 4, carried four times for 28 yards and posted five receptions for 46 yards, including a six-yard TD grab…At Minnesota, Dec. 18, had 232 all-purpose yards on eight carries for 33 yards, five receptions for 79 yards, including a season-long grab for a gain of 39 yards, one TD, and punt returns of 22 and 23 yards…Played significant role in running and return game, as well as a historical role in the passing game vs. Atlanta, Dec. 26. Finishing with a total of 236 all-purpose yards, the 16th time in his career he exceeded 200, leading New Orleans in rushing with five carries for 67 yards, including a season-best 36-yard rush and with his fourth quarter nine-yard TD reception from QB Drew Brees accounted for the catch that gave the signal-caller the NFL single-season record for passing yardage. Also returned a kickoff 92 yards...Had 168 all-purpose yards (40 rushing, 29 receiving, 45 punt returns, 54 kickoff returns) to improve his season total to an NFL single-season record 2,696 in regular season finale vs. Carolina, 1/1/12… In NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Detroit, 1/7/12, scored his first two postseason TDs as a Saint on a second quarter two-yard run and a fourth quarter 17-yard run. Overall, carried ten times for 51 yards (5.1 avg.) and finished with four receptions for 34 yards (8.5 avg.)…In NFC Divisional Playoff at San Francisco, 1/14/12, set NFL postseason single-game receiving record with 15 receptions for 118 yards, including a fourth quarter 44-yard TD, that gave New Orleans a brief lead. Had an all-purpose yardage total of 188. 2010 – Appeared in all 16 games for Chargers with three starts and carried 50 times for 267 yards, had a team-best 59 receptions for 520 yards with two touchdowns, returning 51 kickoffs for 1,257 yards (24.6 avg.) and 24 punts for 166 yards (6.9 avg.) for 2,210 all-purpose yards. Ranked third in NFL in all-purpose yardage (2,210) and fifth in the league among running backs in receptions…Averaged 7.4 yards per carry (five rushes for 37 yards), 15.8 yards per catch (four receptions for 63 yards) and returned three kickoffs for 56 yards, a total of 166 all-purpose yards in win vs. Jacksonville, Sept. 19…Had a nine-yard carry, five receptions for 48 yards, two punt returns for 13 yards and five kickoff returns for 115 yards at St. Louis, Oct. 17…Recorded four carries for 41 yards, four receptions for 36 yards, including one TD catch, two punt returns for 14 yards and four kickoff returns for 100 yards against Tennessee, Oct. 31...Had a TD catch, averaging 12 yards per reception against Denver, Nov. 22. 2009 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games, starting contests vs. Baltimore, Sept. 20, and Miami, Sept. 27…Finished with 343 rushing yards with three touchdowns and 497 receiving yards (11.0 avg) with four touchdowns. Added 1,300 kickoff return yards and 183 punt return yards…Scored game-winning TD while adding 246 all-purpose yards in opener at Oakland, Sept. 14…Had career-long 81-yard TD grab vs. Ravens as part of a 278 all-purpose yard day…Returned a punt 77 yards for a TD vs. Denver, Oct. 19…Caught a 58-yard TD at Kansas City, Oct. 25…Had career high three TDs at Tennessee, Dec. 25…Averaged 11 yards per carry and 10 yards per catch in AFC Divisional Playoff loss to N.Y. Jets, 1/17/10. 2008 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games and both playoff contests for the Chargers…Finished with 61 carries for 330 yards (5.4 avg.) with one touchdown, 29 receptions for 342 yards (11.8 avg.) with five touchdowns, 1,376 kickoff return yards with a touchdown, and 249 punt return yards…Gained career-high 317 all-purpose yards at Denver, Sept. 14, scoring on both a 103-yard kickoff return and a 66-yard catch…67-yard kickoff return at Oakland, Sept. 28, solidified his spot as both AFC and Chargers Alumni Special Teams Player of the Month (September)…Career-high two TD catches vs. Oakland, Dec. 4…221 all-purpose yards at Tampa Bay, Dec. 21, taking season total over 2,000…Best rushing performance came against Denver, Dec. 28, with 115 yards (8.2 avg.) and one TD while adding a receiving TD to clinch the AFC West…Won SI.com Offensive Player of the Week after gaining 328 all-purpose yards in first round of the playoffs against Indianapolis, 1/3/09, the third-most in an NFL playoff game…Recorded 274 all-purpose yards in second round at Pittsburgh, 1/11/09, starting his first NFL contest…Set two single-game NFL Postseason records with 602 all-purpose yard. 2007 – Played in 15 regular season games and three postseason contests…Recorded 37 carries for 164 yards (4.4 avg.), two touchdowns, 10 receptions for 31 yards, 1,008 kickoff return yards (27.2 avg.), one touchdown, 229 punt return yards, and a touchdown…Averaged career best 46.7 yards per kickoff return at Oakland, Oct. 14…Recorded a kickoff return and punt return for a TD against Indianapolis, Nov. 11, and received Special Teams Player of the Week by AFC and USA Today, and Pro Football Weekly’s NFL Player of the Week. Became ninth player in NFL history to score on kickoff return and punt return in same game and only the second player to do so in the same quarter…Best rushing game came against Detroit, Dec. 16, with 25 carries 122 yards (4.9 avg.) and two TDs, setting career-highs for carries and yardage…Averaged 8.8 yards per carry and 20.3 yards per reception in three playoff appearances, including a 56 yard catch and run on a screen pass for his first career postseason TD to beat Indianapolis in the second round…Pro Bowl second alternate selection. 2006- Sidelined for the entire season after breaking his ankle on a punt return in the preseason vs. Green Bay, Aug. 12. 2005- Appeared in 15 games as a rookie and finished with eight carries for 50 yards (6.2 avg.), three receptions for 10 yards, 63 kickoff returns for 1,528 yards (24.3 avg.) and 18 kickoff returns for 108 yards (6.0 avg.)…Longest run (21 yards) came vs. N.Y. Giants, Sept. 25. Also had a season-long 58 yard kickoff return against Giants…Recorded 50 yard kickoff return at N.Y. Jets, Nov. 6.
COLLEGE –From 2001-04 gained 4,979 rushing yards with 80 touchdowns, 609 receiving yards with two touchdowns, 846 kickoff return yards, 378 punt return yards and one touchdown, setting 23 school records…2005 Senior Bowl North Offensive Most Valuable Player…Team Offensive MVP in 2003-04 and co-MVP in 2002…Led nation and set a Kansas State school record with 1,986 rushing yards and 2,735 all-purpose yards in 2003…Unanimous selection first-team all-conference selection…Finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and runner-up for Doak Walker award while being named All-America by Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press, and the NFL Draft Report at end of junior campaign…Named second team All-Big 12 in 2002…Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
PERSONAL – Attended Olathe (Kan.) HS, where he led the school to a fourth state championship in five years as a senior…Kansas Player of the Year by USA Today and Kansas Hall of Fame Player of the Year as senior…Named the 1999 and 2000 Kansas City Star Player of the Year…Was a two-time all-state, all-metro, and All-Sunflower League selection…Finished with 79 touchdowns in his high school career with 5,230 rushing yards…Married (Michel) with two daughters, Devyn and Rhyan…Darren and Michel have created Sproles Empowered Youth, a non-profit organization to benefit underserved youth…Cousin of WR Courtney Roby…Born in Waterloo, Iowa.
