Rams' Xavier Smith: One long catch in limited duty
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Smith caught his only target for 36 yards and returned two punts for 21 yards during Sunday's 14-9 victory against the Texans.
Despite Smith's role appearing to remain the exact same from last year to present, he managed to make the most of his pair of snaps on offense. Smith caught a deep ball from Matthew Stafford in the third quarter for 36 yards, a key play on the Rams' second and final touchdown drive of the day. Despite the impressive catch, Smith's value for the Rams will likely remain on special teams for the duration of the season, with the Titans next up on the docket Week 2.
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Rams' Xavier Smith: Efficient in limited work
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Smith caught all four of his targets for 49 yards and rushed once for five yards during Saturday's 23-22 preseason win against the Chargers.
Given coach Sean McVay's proclivity to rest starters during the preseason, Smith's meager 26 snaps on offense may be a sign that Smith is closer to locking up a roster spot. Smith still managed to end up second on the team in receiving yardage despite his limited time on the field while Britain Covey, Smith's main competition for a roster spot, had a quiet day with just three catches (on six targets) for 13 yards. Although Mario Williams and Tru Edwards both scored and Brennan Presley eclipsed 100 yards receiving, Smith's incumbent status and solid performance through two preseason games keeps him as a favorite to make the final 53-man roster among the group heading into Saturday's preseason finale against the Browns.
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Rams' Xavier Smith: Sticks to special teams in Week 15
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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.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Returns to practice squad
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Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Back with practice squad
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Smith reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
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.
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Rams' Xavier Smith: Elevated from practice squad
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The Rams elevated Smith from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Joins Rams' practice squad
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Smith signed with the Rams' practice squad Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Waived by Rams
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Smith was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.
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.
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Rams' Xavier Smith: Snags four catches
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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.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Signs to LA's practice squad
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The Rams signed Smith to their practice squad, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
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.
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Xavier Smith: Waived by LAR
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The Rams waived Smith on Tuesday.
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.
