August Roster Cutdown Dates for Detroit Lions

In May, NFL owners approved a three-step roster cutdown process that will begin later this month.

For the Detroit Lions, a decision was made to start 2021 training camp, with only 89 players on their roster.

“If something happens, and we need a spot now, that is the reason we have it," head coach Dan Campbell explained. "If we need a corner, we can slide him in right now. That’s kind of what it was, so we didn’t have to go through, ‘Who are we cutting now?’ Before we decide to bring someone else in, it just gave us flexibility to do an immediate move, we felt like.”

Here are the important dates to pay attention to for the Lions and for the rest of the NFL.

August 17 -- NFL teams are required to cut down their roster to a total of 85 players. This will occur four days after the Lions' first preseason game.
August 24 -- NFL teams are required to cut down their rosters to 80 players. This will occur three days after the Lions' second preseason game.
August 31 -- NFL teams are required to cut down their rosters to 53 players. This will occur four days after the Lions' third preseason game.

NFL owners just approved a 90-man roster to start training camp this year, source said, with cuts to 85 on Aug. 17, 80 on Aug. 24 and 53 on Aug. 31.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 26, 2021

2021 Detroit Lions preseason schedule

Week 1 -- Home versus Buffalo Bills on Friday, August 13, 7 p.m. ET
Week 2 -- Away versus Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, August 21, 7:30 p.m. ET
Week 3-- Home vs. Indianapolis Colts on Friday, August 27, 7 p.m. ET