Xavier Smith - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

West Coast Read: Immensely Talented Brock Purdy Is Just Getting Started

Brock Purdy playing at an MVP level is no surprise for former 49ers QB coach Brian Griese. And he believes there's room for improvement.

OCTOBER 14 • FOX SPORTS

West Coast Read: Immensely Talented Brock Purdy Is Just Getting Started

49ers receiver Deebo Samuel will miss time with hamstring injury

San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel will miss at least a few weeks after injuring his hamstring in a win over the Seattle Seahawks

OCTOBER 12 • Associated Press

49ers should brace for Xavier Smith experience Rams fans know all too well Los Angeles Rams fans know something about the Xavier Smith experience. In two-plus seasons with the team before being waived last week, the...

OCTOBER 8 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Heads to Bay Area on practice squad The 49ers signed Smith to the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Smith was cut by the Rams on Friday, but the Florida A&M product will stay in the NFC West division with the 49ers as a member of the practice squad. Smith would be a top candidate for an elevation to the active roster if the 49ers needed more depth at wide receiver.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

49ers stick it to Rams by poaching former return specialist It’s been less than a week since the Los Angeles Rams cut wide receiver Xavier Smith, and he’s already found a new home. On Wednesday, Smith...

OCTOBER 7 • NYPOST.COM

Puka Nacua shows he's still the catalyst of the Rams' offense in comeback win after injury absence

Most of the headlines involving Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua this year have been about off-field issues

OCTOBER 5 • Associated Press

Rams' answer after waiving Xavier Smith won't move the needle on special teams Waiving punt returner Xavier Smith and calling up practice-squad veteran Alex Bachman is unlikely to improve the Los Angeles Rams' special t...

OCTOBER 3 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

5 Rams Who Could Replace Xavier Smith at Punt Returner (And the Options Aren't Great) The Los Angeles Rams made a big change on special teams on Friday morning by cutting wide receiver and punt returner Xavier Smith. There’s n...

OCTOBER 2 • SI.COM

Rams Make Major Change on Special Teams, Cut Xavier Smith The Los Angeles Rams have made a major change to their special teams unit. After special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said that the team...

OCTOBER 2 • SI.COM

Cut by Los Angeles The Rams waived Smith on Friday.

Impact Smith played 38 offensive snaps and ran 32 routes last Sunday night against the Broncos but wasn't targeted by Matthew Stafford and has drawn just one target on 60 routes through three weeks. He's also returned seven punts for 69 yards and seven kicks for 144 yards.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Rams waive wide receiver Xavier Smith Wide receiver Xavier Smith, who primarily served as the Rams' punt returner through the first three weeks of the 2026 season and throughout...

OCTOBER 2 • THERAMS.COM

Rams' special teams progress will be tested in Philly after Eagles blocked 2 field goals last year

The Rams’ 2025 special teams woes started in Philadelphia when the Eagles blocked two field goals

OCTOBER 1 • Associated Press

Sean McVay says NFL agrees officials erred on pass interference that swung Rams' loss to Broncos

Rams coach Sean McVay says the NFL told him officials made a mistake in calling a late pass-interference penalty that swung Los Angeles’ loss at Denver

SEPTEMBER 30 • Associated Press

Draws just one target Monday Smith did not catch his only target during Monday's 28-6 win versus the Giants, but he recorded four punt returns for 32 yards and two kick returns for 29 yards.

Impact With usual lead target Puka Nacua (groin) out, Smith was actually the Rams' third option at wide receiver in Week 2 in terms of offensive snaps (25) behind 2025 seventh-rounder Konata Mumpfield (42) and veteran Davante Adams (38), but Adams was the only Rams wideout who saw more than two targets. Smith remained heavily involved on special teams, however, and that will probably continue to be his primary function as long as one of Nacua or Adams is in pads.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Rams WR Puka Nacua inactive, Aaron Donald active for Giants visit on Monday night

All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua is inactive for the Los Angeles Rams’ game against the New York Giants on Monday night due to a hip injury, while Aaron Donald is active for the officia...

SEPTEMBER 21 • Associated Press

Puka Nacua questionable, Aaron Donald set to play for Rams on Monday night against Giants

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is questionable to play Monday night against the New York Giants because of a groin injury

SEPTEMBER 19 • Associated Press

Plays 16 offensive snaps in Week 1 Smith played 16 of 61 offensive snaps in the Rams' 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Week 1.

Impact Smith is the Rams' punt returner and returned one for 11 yards. He also gained 25 yards on one kick return. His offensive snaps were elevated late in the game when the Rams pulled their starters. Smith has next to no fantasy value.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Tutu Atwell returns to Rams to chase another Super Bowl ring after he thought their book was closed

Tutu Atwell’s NFL career to date is a monument to the importance of being a mature professional even when your job gets you down

SEPTEMBER 3 • Associated Press

'Just reinforces the abilities that I have back there': Xavier Smith's explosive punt return against Chiefs a positive start to preseason Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith got off to a strong start to the 2026 preseason with a 40-yard punt return in the opener.

AUGUST 19 • THERAMS.COM

Xavier Smith shut down Rams roster drama in one preseason game Los Angeles Rams receiver and return specialist Xavier Smith likely locked up a roster spot in Saturday's preseason game against the Kansas...

AUGUST 16 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

HIGHLIGHTS: WR Xavier Smith sets up the Rams near the red zone with a 40-yard punt return Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith with a 40-yard punt return against the Kansas City Chiefs, setting up the Rams at the 23 yard li...

AUGUST 15 • THERAMS.COM

5 Veteran Wide Receivers the Rams Could Target After Missing Out on Stefon Diggs Heading into training camp, the Los Angeles Rams had a need for a more experienced third wide receiver. While the Rams had Jordan Whittingto...

AUGUST 5 • SI.COM

Rams mulling over baffling Kyren Williams choice if speculation is true One of the more puzzling headlines to surface amid Los Angeles Rams training camp is the apparent "competition" at punt returner between rec...

AUGUST 3 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Xavier Smith has clean slate to become Rams weapon Sean McVay always wanted Los Angeles Rams receiver Xavier Smith has a clear path to become the offense's go-to deep threat this season.

JULY 1 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

Beleaguered Rams playmaker may be nearing his only chance at redemption Los Angeles Rams receiver and kick returner Xavier Smith will have to prove himself this season or risk the team moving on from him rather q...

JUNE 13 • RAMBLINFAN.COM

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