"Two years later than most expected, Raiders running back Darren McFadden finally is making good on the hype and promise that surrounded him when he entered the NFL in 2008 as a so-called can't-miss prospect.

Those who questioned his ability as an every-down back now are resigned to singing McFadden's praises.

"I've been familiar with Darren for a long time and his style and the great explosive plays he has in him," said coach Pete Carroll, whose Seattle Seahawks will play the Raiders on Sunday. "He's just growing."

McFadden's teammates are of the mind that he always has been capable of being the dominant player he has been this season. The difference now is that McFadden is healthy, confident and getting a chance to be the featured back.

McFadden battled toe, shoulder and knee injuries in his first two seasons, missing seven games. He totaled 856 yards rushing and averaged only 3.9 yards per carry. He also had a penchant for fumbling.

This season, despite a right hamstring injury in Week 4 that caused him to miss two games, McFadden has performed at a level comparable to the league's top backs.

He is eighth overall in rushing with 557 yards, has caught 18 passes for 193 yards, has scored six touchdowns and has not fumbled in five games. He's averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

"Do I think he can become an elite player? Yes," Raiders coach Tom Cable said. "We thought that when we drafted him. You've just got to keep him on the field, healthy, and he's been productive. This year he's probably taken it to a new level, no question."

An NFC running backs coach said McFadden is just scratching the surface of his potential.

"He's healthy, that's the biggest thing," the running backs coach said, on condition of anonymity. "He just hasn't been able to stay healthy, so you never really knew what he could do. If he doesn't get hurt, the sky's the limit. It'll be interesting to see if he can do it."

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts broadcast the Raiders game against the Denver Broncos last Sunday. He witnessed McFadden rush for a career-high 165 yards and score a career-high four touchdowns in a 196-yard all-around performance."