- May 21, 2026
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Earlier this week, Rams special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone told reporters that the team was not considering making a change at punt returner.
That plan has apparently changed.
Los Angeles announced on Friday that the team has waived receiver/returner Xavier Smith.
Smith had served as the team’s primary punt returner for each of the last two seasons. But he also has made some critical mistakes, including fielding a punt deep in L.A. territory that looked like it would be a touchback in the third quarter of last week’s eventual loss to Denver.
Smith averaged 9.9 yards per punt return and 20.6 yards per kick return over the first three weeks this season.
While he had not caught a pass in 2026, he recorded 18 catches for 303 yards in 2025.
The Rams’ unofficial depth chart listed Konata Mumpfield as the team’s backup punt returner. We’ll see if he in fact does get the nod at the position when L.A. takes on Philadelphia on Sunday.
That plan has apparently changed.
Los Angeles announced on Friday that the team has waived receiver/returner Xavier Smith.
Smith had served as the team’s primary punt returner for each of the last two seasons. But he also has made some critical mistakes, including fielding a punt deep in L.A. territory that looked like it would be a touchback in the third quarter of last week’s eventual loss to Denver.
Smith averaged 9.9 yards per punt return and 20.6 yards per kick return over the first three weeks this season.
While he had not caught a pass in 2026, he recorded 18 catches for 303 yards in 2025.
The Rams’ unofficial depth chart listed Konata Mumpfield as the team’s backup punt returner. We’ll see if he in fact does get the nod at the position when L.A. takes on Philadelphia on Sunday.