The San Francisco 49ers offseason is just about a wrap. The team's rookies, first year players, quarterbacks and injured players report to camp on Monday. Veterans report on Friday, and the first full squad practice is set for Saturday.
For those wondering, a "first year player" is someone who did not accrue a season toward free agency. That group includes RB Kendall Gaskins, OL Ben Gottschalk, TE Xavier Grimble, FB Trey Millard, CB Keith Reaser, OL Justin Renfrow, ILB Shayne Skov, NY Garrison Smith and OG Brandon Thomas. The list of injured players is not confirmed at this point. DeAndre Smelter would be there with the rookies anyway.
A year ago, I put together a variety of pieces about the NFL CBA, and how it impacted the 49ers. At the start of training camp, I broke down the various aspects of Article 23, which covers training camp. The CBA covers everything from reporting day, when padded practices can begin, and how much players will earn in per diem.
Veterans cannot report any earlier than 15 days before the first preseason game. Rookies, first year players, quarterbacks and injured players can report before then. The per diem number increases for the 2015 and 2016 season. This year and next year, rookies will receive per diem at a weekly rate of $1,000, while veterans will receive per diem at a weekly rate of $1,800. The team also has to provide room and board during camp. After camp and before the team's first regular season game, they must provide housing up until the Tuesday before the first regular season game.
The full list of practices until the preseason opener is listed below. The CBA dictates that the team cannot have a practice until a day after players report. The first day (July 27, July 31) is limited to physical examinations, meetings and classroom instruction. The rookies, first year players and quarterbacks will practice after they arrive, but those are closed to the media. The full team practices August 1 and on from there. The first padded practice is August 4, as the CBA mandates no padded practice in first three days. Two-a-day practices are allowed, and last year's CBA article explains the specific practice rules.
Notable Training camp dates (all times pacific):
July 27 - Rookies, quarterbacks, first year players, injured players report
July 31 - Veterans report; player availability 9-10:30 a.m. & 12:15-1 p.m.
Aug 1 - First practice (no pads), 7 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 2 - 4:15 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 3 - 4:15 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 4 - First padded practice, 4:15 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 5 - 6 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 6 - Day off
Aug 7 - 4:15 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 8 - 4:15 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 9 - 1:05 p.m. in Levi's Stadium
Aug 10 - Day off
Aug 11 - 4:15 p.m.
Aug 12 - 4:15 p.m.
Aug 13 - 4:15 p.m.
Aug 14 - Travel to Houston for preseason opener