Yahoo Sports NFL on Xavier Smith

Rams waive Xavier Smith after muffed punt; McVay moving in different direction.

The Los Angeles Rams waived receiver and punt returner Xavier Smith on Friday, eight months after his muffed punt in the NFC Championship game; Smith was retained after the playoffs and kept on the 53-man roster, but Sean McVay has seemingly seen enough and is ready to see another option on special teams. Smith had 303 receiving yards last season but zero catches on one target in 2026; he had seven punt returns in the league this year, the most in the NFL, and was also L.A.'s main kickoff returner.

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