RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThere were several reasons the Los Angeles Rams lost the NFC Championship Game last season, but none of those issues fell on the offense. It was multiple defensive and special teams failures that led to the loss.
In the contest, returner Xavier Smith, who established himself in that role in 2024 and 2025, muffed two punts in that contest, losing one of them. The lost fumble immediately led to a touchdown for the Seattle Seahawks , which would become one of several hurdles the Rams could not overcome.
During an interview with Kay Adams, running back Kyren Williams stated that he's been putting in more work as a returner during team activities – something Bubba Ventrone alluded to in camp.
"I've been catching a lot of punts in practice," said Williams. "I've been catching punts in OTAs, and so that's something that you know I kind of, that's who I am. I can do everything on the field. I can catch the ball. I can run the ball. I can block, and I can return punts.
"That's a standard I hold myself to. I want to be able to do anything that anybody asks for me to do. So if that's catch punch, shoot, I'm gonna go back there and catch some punch, make some plays happen, just to show you that my versatility is really real."
Is @RamsNFL RB @Kyrenwilliams23 ready for punt return duty down under?? @UpAndAdamsShow pic.twitter.com/Ylk1740AqF
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) July 28, 2026 Williams was a spot returner in 2024 and backup in 2025, only returning one punt last year. Williams also took Smith's place as punt returner after his second muff in the championship game. Smith earned the job last season after beating out Britain Covey.
Williams has always talked about his versatility in an attempt to expand his role. With Blake Corum expected to take a larger workload in the running back room and with Jarquez Hunter waiting in the wings, there is a way to manage Williams if they wish to see him contribute on special teams as well.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams RB Kyren Williams has been 'catching a lot of punts in practice'
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