Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Mon 1/5/26 1:22 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith secured one of two targets for six yards, returned one punt for nine yards and returned one kickoff for 27 yards during Sunday's 37-20 victory over the Cardinals.
EDGE Analysis
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 typical output throughout the 2025 campaign. Smith was fourth on the Rams in receiving yardage with 303 yards on 24 catches and 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 postseason and will be a candidate for 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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Thu 1/1/26 9:05 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith (chest) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Wed 12/31/25 7:30 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith (chest) was limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Tue 12/30/25 12:36 AM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
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.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Fri 12/19/25 3:55 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
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.
EDGE Analysis
On a third-and-9 play 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 (knee/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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Mon 12/15/25 2:38 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith failed to record a target during Sunday's 41-34 victory against the Lions.
EDGE Analysis
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.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Mon 12/8/25 1:51 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith secured his only target for six yards and returned three punts for 46 yards during Sunday's 45-17 victory against the Cardinals.
EDGE Analysis
A week removed from a career-high 82 yard performance against the Panthers, Smith regressed back to his typical stat line against the Cardinals. Smith took the field for just 21 snaps on offense, which was still a fair amount more than fellow backup Jordan Whittington's 12. Konata Mumpfield did get an extended look with 32 snaps on offense, but none of the trio of backups managed to earn more than a single target and combined for just 16 yards receiving, leaving them difficult to trust in fantasy playoff lineups with a high-stakes showdown against the Lions up next in Week 15.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Sun 11/30/25 5:44 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith caught all three of his targets for 82 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Panthers.
EDGE Analysis
The second-year wideout missed last week's game due to a concussion, but he returned to action with a bang, setting career highs in catches and yardage while leading the Rams in receiving yards. Most of the real estate was gained on a 51-yard connection with Matthew Stafford that helped set up a Blake Corum TD right before halftime. Smith's biggest impact this season prior to Sunday had come as a kick returner -- he has 274 kickoff-return yards and 142 punt-return yards through his first 10 games -- but he's making a case to move past Jordan Whittington into the No. 3 spot on the WR depth chart heading into a Week 14 tilt against the Cardinals.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Fri 11/28/25 5:18 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith was able to practice in full Friday, and he has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is set to suit up for Sunday's contest. The punt returner missed last Sunday's victory over the Buccaneers due to the concussion he suffered against the Seahawks in Week 11. The 28-year-old will look to add to his 142 punt return yards in Sunday's clash.
Xavier Smith WR LAR (8) Wed 11/26/25 9:48 PM
Xavier Smith
WR LAR (8)
Smith (concussion) logged a full practice Wednesday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.
EDGE Analysis
Smith missed the Rams' Week 12 win over the Buccaneers after logging a pair of limited practices. His return to a full session Wednesday is positive, but it's unclear if he has cleared the league's concussion protocol -- a necessary step before he can return in Week 13 against the Panthers.