Wiktionary
ball carrier
alt. (context American football Canadian football rugby English) A player who carries the football. n. (context American football Canadian football rugby English) A player who carries the football.
WordNet
ball carrier
n. (football) the player who is carrying (and trying to advance) the ball on an offensive play
Usage examples of "ball carrier".
The only pursuit close enough to count was Chumly, who appeared intent on hauling down the ball carrier from behind.
But after a wile, when they figgered I had learnt somethin from the oak tree, they put me back with the three guys an the ball carrier an then got mad I didn't jump on him real vicious-like after I moved the others out of the way.