Detroit Lions take big step toward start of training camp on Saturday

The Detroit Lions are taking a big step toward the start of training camp on Saturday, as the team will see its rookies report to the facility on July 20. Following the rookies, the Lions will see their veterans report three days later on Tuesday, July 23.

Once everyone is in the building, the Lions are slated to hold their first training camp practice on Wednesday, July 24. Their first practice open to fans won't be until Saturday, July 27, and that will only be open to season-ticket holders.

Of course, there will also be practices open to the general public who aren't season-ticket holders, but if you haven't grabbed your free ticket already, you're out of luck, as all of them have been claimed for all open practices.

For a second consecutive season, Detroit will hold joint practices with the New York Giants , which will take place on Aug. 5-6 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The sessions come before the Lions and Giants meet in Preseason Week 1 .

Once the Lions navigate the preseason and wrap up the exhibition slate in Week 3 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Aug. 24, final cuts (from 90 to 53) will take place three days later on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Once that's settled, the Lions will look ahead to their regular-season opener against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 8.

We're almost there, folks.