NFL important dates 2016: Preseason dates for games, cuts, etc.

The 2016 NFL season is here! Players for some teams have already reported for training camp. New York Giants players will report on Thursday, with the first practice Friday morning. Here is a list of NFL important preseason dates you should be familiar with.

Aug. 4-7 — Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 7 — Hall of Fame Game, Green Bay Packers vs. Indianapolis Colts, Canton, Ohio.

Aug. 9 — Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency.

Aug. 9 — If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2016, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2017 League Year.

Aug. 11-14 — First Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 18-20 — Second Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 25-28 — Third Preseason Weekend.

Aug. 30 — Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 75 players on the Active List.

Sept. 1 — Final Preseason Games.

Sept. 3 — Prior to 4 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.

Sept. 3 — Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.

Sept. 4 — Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at noon, New York time.

Sept. 4 — Upon receipt of the Personnel Notice at approximately 1 p.m., New York time, clubs may establish a Practice Squad of 10 players. No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a Practice Player Contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.

Sept. 5-9 — In accordance with the 2016 Personnel (Injury) Report Policy, each club is required to file a Practice Report with its conference communications contact by 4:00 p.m., New York time, (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a regular season Saturday or Sunday game; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for a Thursday game; or Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for a Monday game.

Each club must also file a weekly regular season Game Status Report with its conference communications contact by 4:00 p.m., New York time (or as soon as possible after the completion of practice) on Wednesday for a Thursday game, Friday for a Saturday or Sunday game, and Saturday for a Monday game. An update must be reported if there is any change in a player's condition after the initial Game Status Report is filed.

Sept. 8 — At midnight., New York time, the Top 51 Rule expires for all NFL clubs.

Sept. 8, 11, 12 — Regular Season opens.