Xavier Jones - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Cut with injury designation Jones (ankle) was waived/injured by the Rams on Tuesday, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Impact The Rams backfield has been beset by injuries this summer, with Cam Akers (Achills) and Raymond Calais (foot) already on IR and Jones set to join them, assuming he clears waivers. If he does, Jones will have a chance to return at some point this season once his left ankle is healthy. For the time being, however, Los Angeles will rely on Darrell Henderson (thumb), Sony Michel and Jake Funk at running back.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hurts ankle late Saturday Jones appeared to injure his left ankle near the end of Saturday's preseason loss at Denver, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact It's yet another injury to the Rams backfield. Previously, Cam Akers tore his Achilles in late July, Raymond Calais was forced to IR due to a mid-foot fracture, and presumed starter Darrell Henderson sprained his thumb at practice Monday. GM Les Snead brought in reinforcements this week, trading for Sony Michel from the Patriots. However, coach Sean McVay held both Michel and Jake Funk out Saturday, leaving the backfield to Jones and Otis Anderson. Prior to his exit, Jones, an undrafted rookie, accrued 44 yards on 13 carries and hauled in three of five targets for 20 yards.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Facing new challenge Jones has more competition for playing time after the Rams traded for Sony Michel on Wednesday, Kevin Modesti of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact The Rams waited more than a month to add a new body to the backfield after Cam Akers suffered an Achilles tear in August. Previously, Jones and Jake Funk seemed to be competing for the No. 2 spot behind Darrell Henderson, whose injury history was acknowledged by head coach Sean McVay as a major concern. Michel's medical record is actually worse, and his performance in New England fell far short of expectations for a first-round pick. All that's to say that Jones still could see snaps and touches at some point this season, even if he drops to third or fourth on the depth chart before Week 1. It's also possible Jones and/or Funk manage to stay ahead of Michel if he's slow to pick up the Rams offense or doesn't look good on the practice field.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Brain Games: Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones and more high-ceiling, and high-floor, RB values Renee Miller shares her lists of high-ceiling and high-floor running back values in 2021 fantasy football drafts, with a Rams RB on each.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

From the Podium: Sean McVay, Chris Garrett, Bryce Perkins, Xavier Jones and Tutu Atwell on "resilient" effort vs. Raiders Rams head coach Sean McVay, outside linebacker Chris Garrett, running back Xavier Jones and wide receiver Tutu Atwell share their takeaways...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • THERAMS.COM

Making case for role Coach Sean McVay said Jones and rookie Jake Funk have "done a really nice job" and are on track to be "part of our plans in the running back room," Stu Jackson of the Rams' officia...

Impact With Cam Akers (Achilles) out for the year, Jones and Funk are listed as co-No.2s on the Rams' initial preseason depth chart, behind only Darrell Henderson. McVay also mentioned Raymond Calais earlier this week, but Calais and undrafted rookie Otis Anderson are the type of undersized backs who may be pigeonholed as pass-catching/return specialists. At 208 pounds, Jones is closer to the NFL standard for running backs, if still a bit on the light side. After catching on with the Rams last year as an undrafted rookie who strictly played special teams (178 snaps), Jones can now earn a role on offense in 2021 while Akers is out of the picture. McVay expects Jones to "carve out a role," though the coach did add, "what that is, is to be determined."

AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Xavier Jones Fantasy Outlook Includes Serious Sleeper Upside in Rams Backfield After Latest Sean McVay Comments Xavier Jones' fantasy outlook makes him a great sleeper running back in 2021 drafts.

AUGUST 11, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Receiving praise from McVay Jones has impressed head coach Sean McVay early in training camp, Stu Jackson of TheRams.com reports.

Impact While it's certainly encouraging that McVay is talking up Jones, the praise is probably best taken with a grain of salt. After all, the sophomore running back didn't play a single offensive snap as a rookie. The Los Angeles backfield is in a slight state of chaos following the injury to projected No. 1 back Cam Akers (knee), and it wouldn't be surprising if the Rams added a veteran presence to the position group ahead of the season or at some point thereafter. There's a boost in upside attached to Jones at the moment, but a lot will still probably have to go his way for him to provide consistent fantasy production.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could help replace Akers Jones may be part of the Rams' plan to replace Cam Akers (Achilles), Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact Earlier this offseason, Rodrigue projected Jones as the team's No. 3 running back behind Akers and Darrell Henderson (undisclosed). Jones strictly played special teams (178 snaps) in 13 games last season, but the 2020 UDFA will have a shot to earn snaps on offense after Akers suffered a season-ending injury before training camp. Jones had a pair of 1,000-yard rushing seasons at SMU, including 244 carries for 1,276 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2019. Apart from Henderson and Jones, the Rams' backfield options are limited to 2021 seventh-round pick Jake Funk, 2020 seventh-rounder Raymond Calais and rookie UDFA Otis Anderson. Even if the team adds help in the coming weeks, Jones will still have a chance to earn the second or third spot on the depth chart.

JULY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still third on depth chart Jones is probably still third on the depth chart at running back following the 2021 NFL Draft, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Rams selected running back Jake Funk in the seventh round of the draft, but he profiles more as a special-teams candidate to start the year. Jones is definitely behind Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson on the depth chart, but it is encouraging for Jones' fantasy stock that Los Angeles didn't prioritize the position during the draft. Still, the sophomore out of SMU isn't on the fantasy radar in most settings at this point.

MAY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Why I’m still bullish on LA Rams RB Xavier Jones The LA Rams have a lot of places to focus upon in the 2021 NFL Draft. There are plenty of places to go on offense: offensive linemen, a spee...

APRIL 25, 2021 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Surely, the LA Rams cannot keep RB Xavier Jones out of the end zone now The LA Rams signed a remarkably talented running back from Southern Methodist University after the 2020 NFL Draft by the name of Xavier Jone...

MARCH 18, 2021 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Limited to special teams Jones played 177 special-teams snaps over 13 games during the 2020 regular season.

Impact It was a quiet rookie season for the undrafted free agent out of SMU. However, he could have an opportunity to climb the depth chart with veteran Malcolm Brown headed for free agency. Jones' fantasy value is probably limited as long as Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson (ankle) are healthy, and the Rams could also add a running back in the draft or free agency.

JANUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jared Goff to miss Rams' season finale after thumb surgery

Jared Goff will miss the Los Angeles Rams’ season finale against the Arizona Cardinals after undergoing surgery on his right thumb

DECEMBER 29, 2020 • Associated Press

Will LA Rams running back Xavier Jones get snaps soon? The LA Rams running back Xavier Jones is ready willing and able to carry the ball. Will he get snaps soon? As the LA Rams continue to progre...

OCTOBER 1, 2020 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Earns roster spot Jones was included on the Rams' 53-man roster, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact The undrafted free agent out of SMU impressed during training camp and took advantage of the extra opportunities he received with Darrell Henderson (hamstring) sidelined with an injury. Still, Henderson is trending toward being ready for Week 1, and the Rams also have reliable veteran Malcolm Brown and rookie second-round pick Cam Akers ahead of Jones on the depth chart. As a result, Jones probably has a steep climb to fantasy relevance in the early stages of the season.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

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Jared Goff to miss Rams' season finale after thumb surgery