Indianapolis coach makes it into team's staff meeting for 1st time since beginning treatment

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts head coach Chuck Pagano made it back to the team complex for a short staff meeting Monday.

It's the first time Pagano has been back since being diagnosed with a form of leukemia Sept. 26.

Interim coach and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says he listened to the discussion after doctors cleared Pagano, whose white blood-cell count has increased as he has undergone treatment for the illness. He's scheduled to start a second round of chemotherapy next week.

Arians told reporters last week he didn't expect Pagano back at the team facility for a while because doctors wanted to keep him in a sterile environment where he would not risk infection.

Arians says the surprise visit gave the team a boost and notes Pagano went home when he became tired.

___

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL