Why the 49ers Signed Former Rams Returner Xavier Smith
The Xavier Smith 49ers move puts a former Rams returner with a division rival. San Francisco signed Smith to its practice squad after he recently played against the 49ers for Los Angeles, as detailed by Turf Show Times.
Los Angeles waived Smith the week before the signing. The move gives San Francisco another player to evaluate, but a practice-squad deal does not confirm an active-roster spot or a game-day return assignment.
Key Takeaways
- San Francisco signed Smith to its practice squad after he recently played for the Rams against the 49ers.
- The Rams waived Smith the week before the 49ers signing, though the available reporting does not establish one definitive reason for the decision.
- Smith had 303 receiving yards in 2025 and averaged 20.6 yards per kick return, while the reported account also notes two muffed punts against Seattle.
- A possible elevation to San Francisco’s active roster remains speculation, not a confirmed transaction.
Why the Rams Moved On From Xavier Smith
Smith’s reported numbers present more than one part of his Rams tenure. He recorded 303 receiving yards in 2025, and the account reports a 20.6-yard average on kick returns.
That kick-return average ranked 49th among 50 qualified players, according to the report. It is a specific measure of his work on kickoffs, not a complete assessment of his receiving contributions or the Rams’ full roster decision.
The report also cites two muffed punts against Seattle in the 2025 NFC Championship game, with the Seahawks recovering the second. Those plays provide context for scrutiny of his return work, but the available facts do not establish that they alone caused Los Angeles to waive him.
For a team managing its roster, receiver production and return reliability are separate considerations. Smith’s receiving total shows he contributed on offense, while his reported return figures and the Seattle mistakes offer relevant context for evaluating his special-teams work.
The reporting identifies Sean McVay and the Rams’ roster decisions as part of the broader picture, but it does not supply a confirmed explanation from the club for Smith’s release. The safest conclusion is that Los Angeles waived him and San Francisco then added him to its practice squad.
Smith Gives San Francisco Another Return Option
The practice-squad signing gives San Francisco an opportunity to evaluate Smith without immediately using an active-roster spot. His experience as a receiver and returner adds another option to the team’s consideration, but the signing itself does not say how the 49ers plan to use him.
The reported return figures for Jacob Cowing offer one point of comparison: he averaged 5.0 yards per punt return on five attempts. That is a punt-return figure, unlike Smith’s kick-return average, and the two should not be treated as equivalent measures.
Brandin Cooks made his 49ers debut in Week 4, recording one target and no catches, according to the account. That is receiver context rather than evidence that Smith will replace Cooks or take on a particular offensive role.
Smith’s immediate status is practice-squad player. An elevation to the active roster could be considered, but no elevation has been confirmed, and the reported figures do not establish that one is imminent.
How Smith Compares With the Reported 49ers Return Options
| Player | Reported role or figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Smith | 20.6 average yards per kick return | Reported rank of 49th among 50 qualified players; signed to San Francisco’s practice squad. |
| Jacob Cowing | 5.0 average yards per punt return on five attempts | Punt-return figure; it measures a different return role from Smith’s kick-return average. |
| Brandin Cooks | One target and no catches in his Week 4 49ers debut | Receiver context, not a return-stat comparison. |
The table places the reported figures side by side without suggesting they measure the same job. Smith’s kick-return average and Cowing’s punt-return number concern different assignments, while Cooks’ debut line relates to receiving.
Those distinctions matter when assessing what the practice-squad move means. San Francisco has added a player with return experience, but the supplied information does not identify a new starter or establish which return role Smith might receive.
The 49ers Signing Adds a New NFC West Roster Variable
For the Rams, Smith’s departure is one personnel change involving a player who contributed as a receiver and handled returns. His reported production and special-teams history provide context, but the available account does not confirm the club’s precise reasoning for waiving him.
For San Francisco, the practice squad provides flexibility to evaluate Smith before any active-roster decision. The signing adds a new connection between NFC West rivals, but it does not confirm an elevation, a game appearance, or a specific assignment on returns.
