49ers sign former Rams wide receiver to the practice squad

The San Francisco 49ers have added former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith to their practice squad, deepening their receiving corps with a player known for his speed. Smith, who joined the Rams in 2024, was waived by Los Angeles on October 2 after serving as their primary punt and kickoff returner for the first three weeks of the season.

His arrival coincides with the team placing Dante Pettis, currently dealing with a calf injury, on the practice squad injured reserve. Standing at 5’9” and 180 pounds, Smith recorded a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at Florida A&M’s Pro Day, a trait the 49ers appear eager to exploit alongside their core targets, Mike Evans and George Kittle.

While Smith’s experience includes a notable muffed punt in last year’s playoffs, his return skills could provide backup for Jacob Cowing, whose recent fair catches have been overshadowed by a controversial call on a big return this season. The move reflects the 49ers’ focus on surrounding their star receivers with additional speed and versatility, even if Smith’s role is expected to remain limited to practice squad contributions for now.

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