49ers important dates before start of 2021 season

The 49ers only have days to go before the start of training camp in 2021, followed by some need-to-know dates in advance of Week 1.

That period between San Francisco 49ers organized team activities and the start of training camp can be brutal for fans and analysts alike.

Not only is there a general lack of news, but the anticipation for on-field workouts and more intensified padded practices sure makes the slowish summertime weeks between June and mid-July difficult to bear.

Thankfully, training camp is just around the corner. Right after that, there’s the preseason. And before you know it, Week 1 will be here on the NFL schedule.

Here are the important dates you’ll need to bookmark on your calendars.

49ers important dates before Week 1 of 2021 NFL season

49ers training camp

Players are expected to report for training camp on Tuesday, July 27 with on-field workouts commencing on Saturday, July 31.

The first few days will be for physicals and team meetings before practices begin.

Unlike last year, when the pandemic forced fans from attending, the Niners are reportedly going to allow fans to attend some training camp practices, according to the San Jose Mercury News‘ Cam Inman.

49ers preseason 2021

The preseason last year was also affected by the pandemic, being removed entirely, yet league owners approved altering the exhibition schedule to three games as opposed the previous four back in 2019:

San Francisco’s three preseason bouts are as follows:

• Saturday, Aug. 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET vs. Kansas City Chiefs
• Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Sunday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Week 1 of the regular season will officially kick off on Thursday, Sept. 9 between the Dallas Cowboys and the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Related Story: Ranking Niners’ 5 toughest games on 2021 schedule

The 49ers, meanwhile, open up their 2021 regular-season campaign on the road against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. ET.

49ers roster cuts

Over the last few years, NFL teams were allowed to make all their roster cuts to get down from 90 players to 53 following the last preseason game. Or in the case of last year, not long in advance of Week 1.

But the NFL reverted back to an older rule that gradually reduces offseason roster sizes from 90 to 53 players, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

• Tuesday, Aug. 17 — teams must cut rosters to 85 players
• Tuesday, Aug. 24 — teams must cut rosters to 80 players
• Tuesday, Aug. 31 — teams must cut rosters to 53 players

Typically, although not always, the first wave of cuts involves players who won’t have a chance to make their respective teams but will likely sign on elsewhere, giving them a head start in free agency or the waiver wire.

The last wave of cuts following the third and final preseason game are often players vying for one of only a handful of roster spots on their respective squads, and Week 3 of the preseason is likely to feature plenty of less-known names anyway.

The Niners, just like the other 31 squads, won’t be strangers to making some tough decisions while also keeping an active eye on the waiver wire during that timeframe.