It’s been less than a week since the Los Angeles Rams cut wide receiver Xavier Smith, and he’s already found a new home.
On Wednesday, Smith signed to the practice squad of their NFC West divisional rival, the San Francisco 49ers.
Smith, 29, has been on the Rams since 2023, after he made the team’s roster as an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M. He’s primarily served as a return specialist, but due to early struggles this season, the team decided to bench him in favor of Alex Bachman.
Last season, he had 13 kickoff return attempts and logged 301 yards, with a long of 32, while also hauling in 18 receptions for 303 yards.
The 49ers’ poaching of the former Rams returner comes while the team is incredibly thin at the wide receiver position, as they placed last week’s practice squad acquisition, Dante Pettis, on the injured reserve on Wednesday.
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Smith is the latest Rams receiver to cross over and join the team’s divisional rival, as Demarcus Robinson is in the middle of his second season with the Niners.
A week after Robinson caught three receptions for 50 yards against the Rams in their season opener in Melbourne, Australia, Robinson exited the 49ers’ Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins and was shortly placed on the injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain.
Brandin Cooks, who went to the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2018, signed to the 49ers’ practice squad last week and was elevated before their Week 4 victory against the Denver Broncos.
For Smith, his arrival to the 49ers comes during a revenge week as they’re set to play the Seahawks for the first time since they endured a 41-6 loss in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
