The L.A. Rams’ special teams unit is absolutely careening towards disaster, and their latest desperate attempt to right the ship just dropped: Xavier Smith, the primary punt returner for three seasons, is out. This move, coming late this week, feels mostly symbolic, right? With game day looming, any change like this isn’t meant to be permanent, but it sure screams that the coaches are trying anything they can to get this unit back on track. For now, the word is Alex Bachman is the guy taking over, but the problem runs way deeper than just one player.
The Immediate Fix and the Deeper Problem L.A. Is Facing
So, Alex Bachman, age 30, is the new punt returner for the Rams. He’s 5′ 11″ and 195 pounds, a bit bigger than your typical returner. Bachman actually started with the Rams as an undrafted free agent back in 2019 before bouncing around the league. He played for the New York Giants from 2019-22, the Houston Texans from 1922-24, and the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 before re-joining L.A. this past August. Last season with the Raiders was his first as a team’s primary returner, and honestly, the stats aren’t exactly eye-popping: 22 punt returns for 124 yards, a modest 5.6-yard average, and one fumble. His long was 25 yards. He has also put in work on coverage teams, making nine tackles over the past two seasons. Coming out of college in 2019, he ran a 4.47 forty with a 1.58 10-yard split, which is similar to Smith, the guy he’s replacing, but with a shade less burst. The L.A. braintrust definitely needs to look beyond just the upcoming Philadelphia Eagles game. They are scrambling, and this immediate move feels like a band-aid on a gushing wound.
Who Can Actually Rejuvenate Their Return Game?
Even with Bachman stepping in, the Rams are clearly still hunting for a long-term solution. The current L.A. roster has a couple of in-house options, and you just know they’re scanning the available free agents for anyone who can improve this lineup. While the source mentions six other names plus Kyren Williams, we’ve got details on two more guys who could step up:
* **Brennan Presley (Age 24):** This guy was an undrafted pick in 2025 and definitely fits the Rams’ mold of over-achievers who win with effort, toughness, and football IQ. At 5′ 8″ and 175 pounds, he’s not blazing fast with a 4.53 forty and a 1.64 split. But here’s the kicker: Presley was an *outstanding* open-field runner and a highly productive returner in college at Oklahoma State, where he holds a stash of receiving and return records. He’s also got excellent hands and runs disciplined routes on offense. He screams potential.
* **Tutu Atwell (Age 27):** Yep, Tutu. You know him. He’s another in-house option, 5′ 9″ and 165 pounds. The source cuts off here, but his presence on this list shows how wide L.A. is casting their net.
This situation is rough. The Rams need someone who can consistently put them in good field position, not someone who’s just trying to avoid a fumble. They need to find a way to rejuvenate their return game for the rest of the season, and it doesn’t look like an easy fix, even with Bachman handling the immediate duties. They’ve got the Philadelphia Eagles game coming up, and you know their special teams coaches are going to be under serious pressure to deliver some kind of spark.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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