Xavier Smith celebrates after selecting up 38 yards on a punt return for the Rams towards the 49ers on Sept. 22.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Instances)
Xavier Smith was not offended. He didn’t pout.
Regardless of a formidable preseason because the Rams punt returner, Smith received caught in a squeeze on the receiver place and didn’t make the 53-man roster.
However the second-year professional stated that he knew he would finally get the prospect to indicate the Rams or one other staff that he belonged.
“It was simply understanding that so long as I’m doing what I’m doing, one other alternative goes to current itself,” he stated, “and I’m going to take benefit.”
Alternative introduced itself final Sunday towards the San Francisco 49ers. And Smith, who had been promoted from the apply squad, didn’t flinch.
His 38-yard punt return late within the fourth quarter helped arrange a area aim that gave the Rams a 27-24 victory and improved their report to 1-2.
Smith, signed by the Rams in 2023 as an undrafted free agent from Florida A&M, is now the Rams full-time punt returner, coach Sean McVay stated this week because the Rams ready for Sunday’s sport towards the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject in Chicago.
Smith’s preseason performances “made it actually tough for us” to maintain him off the roster, McVay stated.
“He simply saved working,” McVay stated, “and to see him capitalize on his alternative, that wasn’t simply being prepared that week. He had put himself ready based mostly on his physique of labor to be prepared when the second introduced itself.”
Working again Kyren Williams had opened the season because the punt returner, however Smith was knowledgeable a number of days earlier than the sport towards the 49ers that he would possibly play.
He known as his mom, who purchased a airplane ticket to return see him play his first NFL sport.
On a second-quarter punt, Smith had known as for a good catch. However when he jogged onto the sphere with lower than a minute left he was not considering conservatively.
“I’m attempting to win the sport for my staff,” he stated, laughing. “I’m not shying from these moments.”
Smith stated McVay has peppered conferences with references to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan speaking about their mindset in essential moments of video games.
“If I’m going to be a big-time participant,” Smith stated, “my mindset’s received to be the identical.”
Particular groups coordinator Chase Blackburn was not shocked.
“I advised him after the sport how proud I used to be of him,” Blackburn stated. “Not due to the return, not due to that one play, however simply to have the ability to maintain all through not getting elevated, not having that chance and simply persevering with to be the identical individual each day.
“That’s what we’re attempting to evangelise to our guys.”