Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The Detroit Lions’ offseason program dates have been announced, and they involve one fewer week of practices than normal. On Thursday afternoon, the NFL announced offseason workout dates for all 32 teams. That includes OTAs (Organized T eam Activities) and mandatory minicamp. For the Detroit Lions, it all begins later this month on April 22. By rule, teams with a returning head coach cannot begin their offseason program until the third Monday of April (April 21), so Detroit is starting just a single day after that. During this time, workouts are voluntary and the program is limited to strength and conditioning activities. Once they get to Phase 2—after two weeks of the activities—individual drills and “perfect” play drills are allowed, but there are still no offense vs. defense drills. On May 28, the Lions will open OTAs, which represent Phase 3 of offseason activities. During this time, teams can run 7-on-7, 7-on-11, and 11-on-11 drills, but these remain padless practices with no live contact. What’s interesting here is that the Lions are only currently scheduled for two weeks of OTAs, even though teams are permitted to have three. May 28-30 June 3-5 Typically, the Lions excuse veterans for that third week anyway, giving rookies and other young players the week to work by themselves. Last year, the Lions had to forfeit one of the final days of OTAs after they “violated player work rules pertaining to on-field physical contact pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.” The decision not to have a third week of OTAs this year was one made by the team, per a team source. After OTAs are over, the Lions will hold three days of Mandatory Minicamp—from June 10 to June 12. Those workouts hold the same rules as the OTA practice rules, with the only difference being the mandatory stipulation for players. In short: First day of Lions organized activities: April 22 OTA dates: May 28-30, June 3-5 Mandatory Minicamp: June 10-12 Training camp typically begins at the end of July. The dates of those practices are often revealed in late June. ...read more read less