49ers Sign Former Rams Wide Receiver Xavier Smith to Practice Squad
Less than a week after his release, Smith lands with a divisional rival amid 49ers' wide receiver injuries.
The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Xavier Smith to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday. Smith was released by the Los Angeles Rams less than a week prior.
The 29-year-old Smith joined the Rams in 2023 as an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M. Primarily utilized as a return specialist, he recorded 13 kickoff returns for 301 yards and 18 receptions for 303 yards last season. However, early-season struggles led to him being benched in favor of Alex Bachman this year.
Smith's signing comes as the 49ers are experiencing depth issues at the wide receiver position. The team recently placed Dante Pettis, a practice squad acquisition from the previous week, on the injured reserve. Another former Ram, Demarcus Robinson, who signed with the 49ers last week and was activated for their Week 4 victory, is currently on the injured reserve with a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 2.
Brandin Cooks, who was with the Rams when they reached Super Bowl LIII in 2018, also signed to the 49ers' practice squad last week and has since been elevated to the active roster. Smith's move to San Francisco places him on a rival team just as the 49ers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks for the first time since their 41-6 playoff loss last season.