XAVIER SMITH NEWS

McVay's illness didn't slow down the Rams. They got a healthy victory before bigger tests arrive

Sean McVay fell ill last Friday night, and he was forced to miss parts of the Los Angeles Rams’ final preparations while he traveled to Arizona separately from the team

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Limited usage in blowout win Smith secured his only target for six yards and returned three punts for 46 yards during Sunday's 45-17 victory against the Cardinals.

Impact A week removed from a career-high 82 yard performance against the Panthers, Smith regressed back to his typical stat line against the Cardinals. Smith took the field for just 21 snaps on offense, which was still a fair amount more than fellow backup Jordan Whittington's 12. Konata Mumpfield did get an extended look with 32 snaps on offense, but none of the trio of backups managed to earn more than a single target and combined for just 16 yards receiving, leaving them difficult to trust in fantasy playoff lineups with a high-stakes showdown against the Lions up next in Week 15.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sean McVay talks about the Rams' run game success; Xavier Smith & Kamren Kinchens on moving forward after a loss Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay talks about running backs Blake Corum and Kyren Williams' successful rushes against the Carolina Pant...

DECEMBER 2 • THERAMS.COM

Feature: Opportunity to contribute on offense in Week 13 at Panthers 'meant a lot' to Xavier Smith Primarily the Rams' punt returner this season, wide receiver Xavier Smith made an impact on offense in the Rams' Week 13 loss to the Panther...

DECEMBER 1 • THERAMS.COM

Career-best effort in Carolina Smith caught all three of his targets for 82 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.

Impact The second-year wideout missed last week's game due to a concussion, but he returned to action with a bang, setting career highs in catches and yardage while leading the Rams in receiving yards. Most of the real estate was gained on a 51-yard connection with Matthew Stafford that helped set up a Blake Corum TD right before halftime. Smith's biggest impact this season prior to Sunday had come as a kick returner -- he has 274 kickoff return yards and 142 punt return yards through his first 10 games -- but he's making a case to move past Jordan Whittington into the No. 3 spot on the WR depth chart heading into a Week 14 tilt against the Cardinals.

NOVEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Matthew Stafford's 51-yard pass to Rams WR Xavier Smith against the Panthers moves him into 8th all-time in passing yards Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford completes a 51-yard pass to wide receiver Xavier Smith against the Carolina Panthers which mov...

NOVEMBER 30 • THERAMS.COM

Why Rams' 19 Xavier Smith has a different-looking helmet than his L.A. teammates | Sporting News It's all about safety.

NOVEMBER 30 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Cleared of concussion Smith (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Smith was able to practice in full Friday, meaning he has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is set to suit up for Sunday's contest. The punt returner missed last Sunday's victory over the Buccaneers due to the concussion he suffered against the Seahawks in Week 11. The 28-year-old will look to add to his 142 punt return yards in Sunday's clash.

NOVEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to full participation Smith (concussion) logged a full practice Wednesday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Smith missed the Rams' Week 12 win over the Buccaneers after logging a pair of limited practices. His return to a full session Wednesday is positive, but it's unclear if he has cleared the league's concussion protocol -- a necessary step before he can return in Week 13 against the Panthers.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Rams put CB McCreary on injured reserve, re-sign former starter Kendrick as Witherspoon returns

The Los Angeles Rams have placed cornerback Roger McCreary on injured reserve and claimed cornerback Derion Kendrick off waivers from Seattle

NOVEMBER 26 • Associated Press

Xavier Smith and David Quessenberry among Rams' inactives for Sunday Night Football vs. Bucs in Week 12 Inactives for Sunday Night Football between the Rams and the Buccaneers in Week 12 at SoFi Stadium.

NOVEMBER 24 • THERAMS.COM

Inactive against Tampa Bay Smith (concussion) is inactive for Sunday night's game versus Tampa Bay.

Impact Smith was concussed last Sunday against the Seahawks and will miss this one against the Bucs, allowing Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield opportunities to play more snaps behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Across 10 games this season, Smith has a 7-85-0 receiving line on 10 targets.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for SNF Smith (concussion) is questionable for Sunday night's game against the Bucs, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith was concussed in last Sunday's win over the Seahawks but was able to log a pair of limited practices Thursday and Friday. However, Smith is still in the protocol. If Smith is unable to play Sunday night, Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield would be next up for wideout snaps behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Injury Report, Week 12 vs. Bucs: Xavier Smith (concussion) questionable The final injury report heading into Sunday Night Football between the Rams and the Buccaneers in Week 12.

NOVEMBER 21 • THERAMS.COM

Back at practice Smith (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Smith sustained a concussion in the team's 21-19 win over the Seahawks in Week 11, and he was able to return to practice after missing Wednesday's session. The wide receiver will have to clear concussion protocol in order to play Sunday versus the Buccaneers, and Thursday's participation was a step in the right direction.

NOVEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Smith (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Smith entered the league's concussion protocol during the Rams' Week 11 win over the Seahawks. Even if he returns to practice this week, he would need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Smith has mostly served on special teams as a returner this season, though he has recorded six catches (on nine targets) for 49 yards over his last four games.

NOVEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Rams have 4 interceptions, Seahawks miss long field goal on final play in Los Angeles' 21-19 win

Kamren Kinchens had two of the Rams’ four interceptions, Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and Los Angeles hung on to beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-19 for its fifth consec...

NOVEMBER 17 • Associated Press

Done for day Smith (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.

Impact Smith suffered a concussion in the first half of the contest, and his day has officially come to a premature end. The wide receiver caught one of two targets for eight yards while also adding a 22-yard kickoff return prior to exiting the game. In Smith's absence, Konata Mumpfield could stand to see an increase in workload on offense and on special teams.

NOVEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Makes a pair of grabs Smith secured two of three targets for 12 yards and returned two punts for 11 yards during Sunday's 34-10 win against the Saints.

Impact With Tutu Atwell (hamstring) out and Puka Nacua (chest) leaving the contest early, Smith managed to record a nearly identical stat line to last week, albeit with only 13 snaps on offense, a significant decrease from last week. If Nacua were in line to miss any additional time with his injury, Smith, Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield would all be in line for additional work, with Smith likely to step into Atwell's role of field-stretching speedster for the Rams. A healthy Davante Adams will likely cap the fantasy fun to be had by the trio, however with a divisional trip to San Francisco up next in Week 10.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high two catches Smith caught two of three targets for 15 yards, returned three punts for 17 yards and returned one kick for 32 yards during Sunday's 35-7 win against the Jaguars.

Impact Pressed into duty with Puka Nacua (ankle) out and Tutu Atwell limited to just a handful of snaps, the second-year pro tripled his catch total on the season with his pair of snags. Smith was also on the field for nearly half of the snaps on offense for the Rams, although he didn't manage to catch any of Matthew Stafford's five touchdown passes on the day. Smith will look to ride the momentum from his increased usage after the Rams' bye in Week 8, when the New Orleans Saints come to town in Week 9.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Season-high two catches Smith caught two of three targets for 15 yards, returned three punts for 17 yards and returned one kick for 32 yards during Sunday's 35-7 win against the Jaguars.

Impact Pressed into duty with Puka Nacua (ankle) out and Tutu Atwell limited to just a handful of snaps, the second-year pro tripled his catch total on the season with his pair of snags. Smith was also on the field for nearly half of the snaps on offense for the Rams, although he didn't manage to catch any of Matthew Stafford's five touchdown passes on the day. Smith will look to ride the momentum from his increased usage after the Rams' bye in Week 8, when the New Orleans Saints come to town in Week 9.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Rams 360: The Coach McVay Show, Xavier Smith on Rams Revealed & Omar Speights Mic'd Up vs. Eagles On this week's episode of Rams 360, tune in to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay on The Coach McVay Show, watch wide receiver Xavier Sm...

SEPTEMBER 27 • THERAMS.COM

Xavier Smith on his improbable journey to the Rams and the challenges of life as an NFL punt returner | Featured on Rams Revealed Ep. 136 On this week's episode of Rams Revealed, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith reflect on his inspiring journey to the Rams and life a...

SEPTEMBER 23 • THERAMS.COM

Xavier Smith reflects on his journey to the Rams, memorable moments in the NFL & more | Rams Revealed Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith sits down with J.B. Long for an episode of Rams Revealed to discuss his journey to the Rams. Fro...

SEPTEMBER 23 • THERAMS.COM

One long catch in limited duty Smith caught his only target for 36 yards and returned two punts for 21 yards during Sunday's 14-9 victory against the Texans.

Impact Despite Smith's role appearing to remain the exact same from last year to present, he managed to make the most of his pair of snaps on offense. Smith caught a deep ball from Matthew Stafford in the third quarter for 36 yards, a key play on the Rams second and final touchdown drive of the day. Despite the impressive catch, Smith's value for the Rams will likely remain on special teams for the duration of the season, with the Titans next up on the docket in Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE