Xavier Smith - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Sticks to special teams in Week 15 Smith returned one punt for 10 yards while playing all 13 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 win over the 49ers.

Impact Smith was one of seven Rams receivers active Thursday, but he went without any snaps on offense for the second straight game while the other six wideouts all worked ahead of him. He'll continue to bring most of his value to the Rams in the return game.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sticks to special teams in Week 15 Smith returned one punt for 10 yards while playing all 13 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 win over the 49ers.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes most of five offensive snaps Smith rushed twice for 30 yards and returned one punt for eight yards during Sunday's 20-15 win against the Raiders.

Impact Smith showcased his speed in the third quarter, bursting on the outside and breaking off a 24-yard run that led to a Kyren Williams rushing touchdown one play later. Smith hasn't had a lot of opportunities to showcase his talents in a crowded Rams' receiving corps, and Cooper Kupp (ankle) is likely to return in Week 8 against the Vikings. This big play by Smith may end up just being a blip on the radar, while he is relegated back to strictly punt return duties for the Rams.

OCTOBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to active roster The Rams signed Smith off the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

Impact The Rams signed Smith to the active roster as they had elevated him from the practice squad three times this season, which is the most a team is allowed to do so. Smith has served primarily on special teams on punt returns, but he did play eight offensive snaps in Week 5 against the Packers and caught both of his targets for six yards.

OCTOBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice squad Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday.

Impact Smith was elevated for his third and final eligible time for Sunday's loss to the Packers. The 27-year-old saw two targets in the matchup, catching both for a total of six yards. If he's going to suit up in Week 7, after the team's bye week, he'll need to be signed to the 53-man roster or waived and re-signed.

OCTOBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated from practice squad The Rams elevated Smith from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact This is the third and final time Smith can be elevated from the practice squad, and if the Rams want him to stick around, they would have to sign him to the active roster following Sunday's game against the Packers. Smith has played 19 snaps (two on offense, 17 on special teams) over his two regular-season outings.

OCTOBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Xavier Smith Relives His 49ers Punt Return & Omar Ruiz Previews Rams vs. Packers | Ricky's Ram Jam

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Back with practice squad Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact Smith was elevated ahead of Sunday's loss to the Bears, most notably turning one punt return in 17 yards while playing 10 snaps with the special-teams unit. He failed to record any stats on offense, playing two snaps in the contest. Smith can be elevated one more time before Los Angeles would have to sign him to their active roster.

OCTOBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Joins active roster Smith was elevated to the Rams' active roster Saturday.

Impact Smith has been elevated to the Rams' active roster for the second consecutive week as the team continues to deal with injuries in its wide receiver room. The 27-year-old played seven special-teams snaps during Los Angeles' Week 3 win over the 49ers, and he's expected to have a similar role in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

FAMU alum Xavier Smith ignites NFL on birthday weekend Another memorable birthday weekend for Xavier Smith as he breakouts in the NFL for the LA Rams.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Reverts to practice squad Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact The wide receiver played seven snaps on special teams in his NFL debut against the 49ers on Sunday, returning one punt for 38 yards and making a fair catch. Smith signed with the Rams' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster out of training camp.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated from practice squad The Rams elevated Smith from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact Xavier Smith signed with the Rams' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. He is in line to make his NFL debut Sunday against the 49ers if he's active for the contest, and he would provide deep depth at wide receiver with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Rams' practice squad Smith signed with the Rams' practice squad Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

Impact The 26-year-old wideout failed to make the Rams' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, but he's now returning to Los Angeles as a practice squad player. Smith impressed throughout the Rams' three preseason contests, racking up 126 total yards on 17 touches.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Rams Smith was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.

Impact The wide receiver caught four passes for 34 yards and carried the ball three times for 16 yards in the team's final preseason game, but it wasn't enough to land LA's seventh receiver spot. Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams in January after spending 2023 on the team's practice squad.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Rams Smith was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.

Impact The wide receiver caught four passes for 34 yards and carried the ball three times for 16 yards in the team's final preseason game, but it wasn't enough to land L.A.'s final receiver spot. Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams in January after spending 2023 on the team's practice squad.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Does it all in final showcase Smith secured four of five targets for 34 yards, rushed three times for 16 yards and returned one punt for 23 yards during Saturday's 17-15 loss to the Texans.

Impact The Rams rested a large portion of their starters tonight, and Tyler Johnson was among those who didn't see the field. This seemed to signal that Smith was squarely on the roster bubble, and he made a strong case for his inclusion as the seventh wide receiver with another multi-faceted performance on the field. No other receiver on the Rams did much to make a claim for the final spot, so head coach Sean McVay is likely deciding between keeping Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and the aforementioned Johnson as his receiving crew or adding Smith on to as a depth piece.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Performs well in extended look Smith secured five of eight targets for 45 yards during Saturday's 13-9 victory against the Chargers. He also rushed once for nine yards and returned two punts for 50 yards.

Impact Smith was on the field for all but four of the Rams' snaps on offense and showcased his abilities as a receiver, rushing threat and return specialist. The battle for one of the final spots on the roster as a receiver will likely come down to Smith and Tyler Johnson, unless the Rams choose to keep seven receivers to start the season. The 2023 UDFA out of Florida A&M has no prior NFL experience, while Johnson is entering his fifth year in the league and has a 50-537-3 receiving line in that time. Both players will have one final chance to make their case for a spot on the 53-man roster next week against the Texans.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Helluva catch from Xavier Smith 😮‍💨 #nfl #shorts #rams

AUGUST 18, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Snags four catches Smith caught all four targets for 20 yards and returned two kickoffs for 47 yards during Sunday's 13-12 preseason victory against the Cowboys.

Impact Notably, Smith played in 76 percent of the snaps on offense, more than all but three other players. The second-year pro out of Florida A&M is firmly on the cut line for the final 53-man roster bubble, with Puka Nacua (Knee), Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington all almost assured to secure a spot. Smith, Tyler Johnson, Drake Stoops, Sam Wiglusz and JJ Laap will be competing for what likely will be the final wide receiver spot on the roster, as the Rams kept just six wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster in 2023. Smith's kick returning ability could be the key in standing out from the crowd and making the cut.

AUGUST 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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