Xavier Smith - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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

Signs tender with Rams Smith signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Rams on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Smith signed a $1.075 million tender to remain with the Rams in 2026. The depth wide receiver is all set to suit up as a special teams player who can also provide offensive utility for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Smith hauled in 18 receptions for 303 yards over 16 regular-season contests, a significant improvement from his two receptions for six yards in the Rams' 2024 campaign.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Rams sign special-teams ace LB Grant Stuard in their continuing overhaul of an underperforming group

The Los Angeles Rams have signed linebacker and special-teams standout Grant Stuard in their latest move to overhaul a unit that struggled badly last season

MARCH 17 • Associated Press

Tendered by Rams The Rams tendered Smith on Monday.

Impact Smith was slated to be an exclusive rights free agent, and by receiving a tender, he's now locked in with Los Angeles for another season. The Florida A&M product has served as a depth wideout for the Rams during his two campaigns in the NFL, and he saw his role expand last year with an 18-303-0 receiving line over 16 regular-season games. Smith was also a key component of the Rams' special-teams unit, racking up 301 kick-return yards and 251 punt-return yards. He'll likely be deployed in a similar role next season.

MARCH 3 • ROTOWIRE

Rams are still stunned, saddened after a standout season ended just short of another Super Bowl

The Los Angeles Rams could return next season with nearly every important contributor to a team that fell just a few big plays short of another trip to the Super Bowl, and they hav...

JANUARY 26 • Associated Press

4 NFL Title Games Takeaways: How the Patriots, Seahawks Earned Super Bowl Berths

Bucky Brooks breaks down the AFC and NFC Championship Games, with key insights on how the Patriots and Seahawks prevailed.

JANUARY 26 • FOX SPORTS

4 NFL Title Games Takeaways: How the Patriots, Seahawks Earned Super Bowl Berths

Rams' McVay and Stafford lament missed opportunities as they fall short of Super Bowl

Sean McVay had zero interest in discussing whether Matthew Stafford, his soon-to-be 38-year-old quarterback, will be back for the Los Angeles Rams next year

JANUARY 26 • Associated Press

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold 'Shut A Lot of People Up Tonight'

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold continued to rewrite his legacy, adding another chapter with his performance against the Rams on Sunday.

JANUARY 26 • FOX SPORTS

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold 'Shut A Lot of People Up Tonight'

Sam Darnold and Seahawks advance to Super Bowl with thrilling 31-27 win over Rams in NFC title game

Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles...

JANUARY 26 • Associated Press

Dareke Young's Muffed Punt Fumble Recovery Puts Seahawks In Scoring Position Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young recovers Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith's fumble on a punt-return attempt during th...

JANUARY 26 • SEAHAWKS.COM

Xavier Smith brutally muffs Rams punt return as Seahawks score off blunder For all their success this season, the Rams have often struggled on special teams.

JANUARY 26 • NYPOST.COM

Little impact in win Smith secured one of two targets for six yards, returned one punt for nine yards and returned one kick for 27 yards during Sunday's 37-20 victory over the Cardinals.

Impact A week removed from leading the Rams in receiving yards, Smith fell back to Earth in a big way against Arizona, reverting back to his more typical output through the 2025 campaign. Smith was fourth on the Rams in receiving yardage with 303 yards on 24 catches with no touchdowns. Smith's role grew as the season progressed, settling in as one of the primary backups behind starters Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (hamstring). Smith will be an exclusive rights free agent after the season and will be a candidate to be offered a one-year deal to return to the Rams as a return specialist and role player at wide receiver once again. Smith's next opportunity to produce comes in a road matchup against Carolina in the wild-card round on Saturday.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Full Thursday Smith (chest) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Smith led the Rams with 67 receiving yards on four catches in Monday night's loss to the Falcons. With Davante Adams (hamstring) expected to miss Week 18 against Arizona, Smith should again operate as the Rams' third receiver.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Limited walkthrough Smith (chest) was limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact In Monday's 27-24 loss in Atlanta, Smith ranked third among Rams wide receivers in snap share with 51 percent behind Puka Nacua (74 percent) and Konata Mumpfield (66 percent). However, Smith paced the team with 67 receiving yards on his four catches. Assuming he's able to play through his chest injury Sunday against the Cardinals, he should continue to earn consistent looks from QB Matthew Stafford because No. 2 WR Davante Adams is expected to miss a third game in a row, as coach Sean McVay told Grosbard on Wednesday.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Rams face questions about their mentality after dismaying loss to Atlanta extends their late slump

The Los Angeles Rams were 14 points up on the Seattle Seahawks midway through the fourth quarter less than two weeks ago

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • Associated Press

Leading receiver on MNF Smith had four receptions on six targets for 67 yards while returning three punts for 23 yards in Monday's 27-24 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Smith was shockingly the game's leading receiver in a Monday Night Football matchup that featured star receivers Puka Nacua and Drake London. The 27-year-old Smith's six targets were the most he has seen in a pro game to date. The return specialist was the biggest beneficiary of WR Davante Adams' (hamstring) absence after Tutu Atwell and Konata Mumpfield were held to two catches for 10 yards combined in Monday's loss. Smith appears to be the backup most likely to step up behind Nacua if Adams remains sidelined against Arizona on Sunday for the final game of the regular season.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Xavier Watts' hit-stick tackle ends Xavier Smith's forward progress abruptly Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts destroys Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith after the catch.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ATLANTAFALCONS.COM

HIGHLIGHTS: Rams WR Xavier Smith hauls in a 36-yard completion from QB Matthew Stafford against the Falcons Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford slings a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Xavier Smith against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Be...

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • THERAMS.COM

Makes lengthy grab in loss Smith secured both of his targets for 57 yards and returned one punt for 31 yards during Thursday's 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks.

Impact On a third-and-9 early in the third quarter, Smith was able to burn past Devon Witherspoon and snag a dart from Matthew Stafford for a 48-yard gain, leading to a Harrison Mevis field goal a few plays later. Smith has shown the ability to make explosive plays when called upon in recent weeks, including a 51-yard catch in Week 13 against Carolina. Fellow backups Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell combined for a single catch for 19 yards, while Konata Mumpfield earned a whopping eight targets, which he turned into three catches for 40 yards. If Davante Adams (hamstring) isn't able to go for a Week 17 matchup in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 29, Mumpfield and Smith seem like the primary candidates for a role increase behind Puka Nacua.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Xavier Smith's spectacular 48-yard catch gets Rams into Seahawks territory Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford heaves a 48-yard pass to wide receiver Xavier Smith against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Fiel...

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • THERAMS.COM

HIGHLIGHTS: Rams WR Xavier Smith treks downfield on a 31-yard punt return against the Seahawks Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith ignites the jets on 31-yard punt return against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • THERAMS.COM

Rams' faith in their receiver depth to be tested if Adams misses short-week showdown with Seahawks

The Los Angeles Rams have largely been a two-wide-receiver team all season, so Davante Adams’ hamstring injury is likely to reveal whether Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford have anot...

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Sees little usage Smith failed to record a target during Sunday's 41-34 victory against the Lions.

Impact Sunday marked the first time since Week 6 that Smith was held without a catch, and more concerning was a steep drop in playing time; Smith was only on the field for three snaps on offense. Tutu Atwell returned but only earned four snaps of his own, while Konata Mumpfield and his 32 snaps marked the highest usage out of the backup wideouts. Even with Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially unavailable for a pivotal Week 16 matchup on the road against division rival Seattle, Smith's most likely contribution for the Rams will be on special teams.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rams WR Davante Adams might not be ready for Seahawks showdown after reinjuring hamstring vs Lions

Wide receiver Davante Adams could miss the Rams’ short-week showdown with Seattle after reinjuring his right hamstring in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles’ 41-34 victory over Detr...

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

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Rams sign special-teams ace LB Grant Stuard in their continuing overhaul of an underperforming group

Rams are still stunned, saddened after a standout season ended just short of another Super Bowl

4 NFL Title Games Takeaways: How the Patriots, Seahawks Earned Super Bowl Berths

Rams' McVay and Stafford lament missed opportunities as they fall short of Super Bowl

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold 'Shut A Lot of People Up Tonight'

Sam Darnold and Seahawks advance to Super Bowl with thrilling 31-27 win over Rams in NFC title game

Rams face questions about their mentality after dismaying loss to Atlanta extends their late slump

Rams' faith in their receiver depth to be tested if Adams misses short-week showdown with Seahawks

Rams WR Davante Adams might not be ready for Seahawks showdown after reinjuring hamstring vs Lions