The first two NFL training camps start on Saturday. Yes, this Saturday, real NFL Football players will be in helmets and shoulder pads and facilities will be bustling. Both rookies and veterans report to the Hall of Fame Game’s competitors – the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins – facilities for training camp this weekend.
With that being said, NFL news is about to pick up big time. Let’s take a look at when other camps get started, then dive into some news.
NFL Training Camp Locations and Report Dates
| Team | Location | Rookie | Veterans |
| Arizona Cardinals | Glendale, Arizona | July 23 | July 25 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Flowery Branch, Georgia | July 24 | July 26 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Owning Mills, Maryland | July 21 | July 24 |
| Buffalo Bills | Pittsford, New York | July 22 | July 27 |
| Carolina Panthers | Spartanburg, South Carolina | July 21 | July 25 |
| Chicago Bears | Borbonnais, Illinois | July 25 | July 25 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Cincinnati, Ohio | July 24 | July 24 |
| Cleveland Browns | Berea, Ohio | July 19 | July 24 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Oxnard, California | July 20 | July 20 |
| Denver Broncos | Englewood, Colorado | July 24 | July 24 |
| Detroit Lions | Allen Park, Michigan | July 22 | July 25 |
| Green Bay Packers | Green Bay, Wisconsin | July 25 | July 25 |
| Houston Texans | Houston, Texas | July 21 | July 25 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Anderson, Indiana | July 23 | July 27 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Jacksonville, Florida | July 25 | July 25 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | St. Joseph, Missouri | July 22 | July 25 |
| Miami Dolphins | Davie, Florida | July 20 | July 20 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Mankato, Minnesota | July 25 | July 25 |
| New England Patriots | Foxborough, Massachusetts | July 21 | July 25 |
| New Orleans Saints | Metairie, Louisiana | July 18 | July 25 |
| New York Giants | East Rutherford, New Jersey | July 26 | July 26 |
| New York Jets | Cortland, New York | July 22 | July 25 |
| Oakland Raiders | Napa, California | July 25 | July 25 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | July 22 | July 25 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | July 26 | July 26 |
| San Diego Chargers | San Diego, California | July 24 | July 24 |
| St. Louis Rams | Earth City, Missouri | July 21 | July 24 |
| San Francisco 49ers | Santa Clara, California | July 19 | July 24 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Renton, Washington | July 24 | July 24 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa, Florida | July 17 | July 24 |
| Tennessee Titans | Nashville, Tennessee | July 24 | July 24 |
| Washington Redskins | Richmond, Virginia | July 24 | July 24 |
Lions release Jahvid Best
To make these last two days even worse in Detroit, the release of Best, a 2010 first-round pick out of the University of California., has become official. In 22 games, Best, although injury-prone, was a dynamic bank with a promising future. However, with the concussions, this release has been a nearly two-year process that has now finally ended. Lions Executive Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Martin Mayhew: “We wish Jahvid the very best in all his future endeavors and have no doubt that he will be successful in whatever he chooses.”
Dolphins no longer planning to sign fullback Vonta Leach
Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that after interest on both sides, the Dolphins are “standing pat” at the fullback position heading into camp. The Dolphins never talked money and there was no offer from the team to Leach. Salguero also reported that if the current fullback talent is “problematic”, the team could turn back to Leach at fullback. The Baltimore Ravens appear as the strongest option to re-sign Leach after releasing him, although it would be for less money. The Houston Texans are still interested as well.
Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon cleared to practice in full
Garcon, who dealt with a foot injury for most of 2012, had surgery via Dr. James Andrews to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. During organized team activities, Garcon worked with the team, and worked with his quarterback Robert Griffin III on the side. Garcon still has a foot problem, and will wear a special shoe this season to deal with it, but the shoulder appears to be a full go. It’s important that Garcon is healthy, as the Redskins were 9-1 with him in the lineup, losing only when he was playing on a bad foot and Robert Griffin III was knocked out of the game.
Tony Romo cleared by Dr. Jerry Jones
Romo underwent a minor surgery this offseason to remove a cyst in his back. It was never expected to be a big problem for his training camp status, but he was forced to miss organized team activities in the spring. It was confirmed on Thursday by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that Romo won’t miss any time in training camp. With a new seven-year, eight-figure contract, Romo’s health is -- and justly should be -- of the utmost importance to the Cowboys.
Texans linebacker Brian Cushing cleared
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk first reported that Dr. James Andrews has cleared the linebacker for training camp after tearing his ACL in 2012. However, Cushing will be eased back into the full swing of things. It sounds as if Cushing will start camp on the PUP, but should be ready to play in preseason games. Cushing makes a huge impact on the defense, and the team needs him to man the middle of the field.