NEW YORK (AP) -The Super Bowl champion New York Giants will be the first preseason opponent for the Detroit Lions, replacing the Indianapolis Colts to accommodate stadium availability and local television partner commitments.

The Colts will instead open their preseason at Carolina on Aug. 9, the NFL said Thursday. The Lions play the Giants at Detroit's Ford Field on Aug. 7.

The change leaves the Giants with an irregular preseason schedule. New York will have 11 days between its opener against the Lions and a Monday night game against the Cleveland Browns, then five days before a game against the New York Jets.

The Giants wrap up the preseason with a Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots on Aug. 28.