- Xavier Smith
- #19
- Team LAR
- Pos WR
- Status AActive
-
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.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Wed, Dec 18 at 8:18am by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: 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 Week 8 against the Vikings. This big play by Smith may end up being just a blip on the radar, while he is relegated back to strictly punt return duties for the Rams.
Published: Mon, Oct 21 at 11:51am by Rotowire.com
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Promoted to active roster
The Rams signed Smith off the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.
Analysis: 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. 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.
Published: Wed, Oct 16 at 4:03pm by Rotowire.com
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Returns to practice squad
Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Tue, Oct 8 at 8:15am by Rotowire.com
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Elevated from practice squad
The Rams elevated Smith from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Sat, Oct 5 at 11:46am by Rotowire.com
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Back with practice squad
Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: Smith was elevated ahead of Sunday's loss to the Bears, most notably returning one punt for 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 its active roster.
Published: Mon, Sep 30 at 5:45pm by Rotowire.com
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Joins active roster
Smith was elevated to the Rams' active roster Saturday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Sat, Sep 28 at 10:31am by Rotowire.com
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Reverts to practice squad
Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Mon, Sep 23 at 5:23pm by Rotowire.com
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Elevated from practice squad
The Rams elevated Smith from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: 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 depth at wide receiver with Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Puka Nacua (knee) sidelined.
Published: Sat, Sep 21 at 11:38am by Rotowire.com
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Joins Rams' practice squad
Smith signed with the Rams' practice squad Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Thu, Aug 29 at 12:46pm by Rotowire.com
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Waived by Rams
Smith was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.
Analysis: 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.
Published: Tue, Aug 27 at 5:14pm by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: The Rams rested a large portion of their starters Saturday, 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. 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…read more
Published: Sun, Aug 25 at 7:16pm by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: 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.…read more
Published: Sun, Aug 18 at 11:17pm by Rotowire.com
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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.
Analysis: 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…read more
Published: Mon, Aug 12 at 6:57pm by Rotowire.com
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Signs reserve deal with Rams
Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams on Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith spent his rookie season on the Rams' practice squad after failing to make the team out of camp. The wide receiver out of Florida A&M will try to make the roster in 2024.
Published: Wed, Jan 17 at 9:30am by Rotowire.com
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Signs to LA's practice squad
The Rams signed Smith to their practice squad, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Analysis: Smith was unable to make the Rams' 53-man roster, but the undrafted free agent cleared waivers and will now join the team's practice squad. The rookie wideout did not do enough to secure an active roster spot, but he'll have the opportunity to impress in practice and possibly provide a depth option if the Ram's wide receiver corps deal with injury issues this season.
Published: Wed, Aug 30 at 6:41pm by Rotowire.com
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Waived by LAR
The Rams waived Smith on Tuesday.
Analysis: Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent in May, but he'll likely have to start his rookie season on a practice-squad deal after clearing waivers. The Florida A&M product played 24 snaps (15 offensive) during the Rams' preseason finale but wasn't targeted.
Published: Tue, Aug 29 at 1:44pm by Rotowire.com
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