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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Status
ACTIVELatest Xavier Smith news
Team
Los Angeles Rams
Birthdate
9/21/1997 (26)
Status
Practice Squad
HT/WT
5'9", 176 lbs
Birthplace
Haines City, FL, USA
Position
WR
College
Florida A&M
Experience
1 season
Career History
Los Angeles Rams
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
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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.
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 LA's final receiver spot. Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Rams in January after spending 2023 on the team's practice squad.
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. 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 Whittington and the aforementioned Johnson as his receiving corps or adding Smith on as a depth piece.
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. 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. Both players will have one final chance to make their case for a spot on the 53-man roster next week against the Texans.
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.