Fans show support for coach Chuck Pagano, who has been sidelined for over a month after a cancer diagnosis. (US Presswire) |
Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has been out since late September after announcing he had been diagnosed with leukemia, but he made a surprise visit to the coaches' staff meeting Monday.
Pagano had been kept in hospital isolation in an effort to avoid infection prior to being sent home before the Colts faced Cleveland two weeks ago. Now, his status is such that he is able to be somewhat more active -- at least for the time being.
“Probably shouldn’t tell you, but Chuck was in our staff meeting today," interim coach Bruce Arians said Monday. "He had a great visit with his doctors and his counts were way up, he was feeling good, so he stopped in and was able to sit in the office with his staff and listen to everybody’s comments about the game. I think it was great medicine for him. So, he’s doing extremely well and with his white count going up now, he’s ready for a second round of chemo next week. They’ll hit him pretty good next week and hopefully he’ll be able to be around a little bit more.”
Despite the positive news, Pagano is still expected to be in recovery for the remainder of the season. The Colts are 2-1 so far under Arians, who has said that he has been in frequent contact with Pagano.
Walking wounded: Indianapolis can't seem to shake the injury bug, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Vontae Davis had an MRI performed on his left knee after leaving Sunday's game with what was preliminarily referred to as a sprain. Nose tackle Fili Moala (knee), outside linebacker Robert Mathis (knee), and cornerback Darius Butler (shoulder) all have a chance to play this weekend, Arians said. The trio missed Sunday's game at Tennessee.
The offense is more stable, though rookie tight end Coby Fleener had an MRI on his shoulder, which he injured against the Titans. Fleener was noticeably in pain and favoring the shoulder Sunday, though he did attempt a return to the game.
Roster moves: The Colts had yet another roster shake-up Monday, this time parting ways with veteran running back Mewelde Moore. The ex-Steeler was brought on due to his familiarity with Arians, who was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. Moore had just 14 yards on nine carries in 2012. Indy also elevated cornerback Marshay Green to the active roster, as well as signing cornerback Teddy Williams, clearly a reaction to injuries to Davis and Butler. Finally, fullback Robert Hughes was signed to the active roster and nose tackle Anthony Dixon was released.
It bears mentioning that Williams, a hybrid cornerback/wide receiver, did not play college football. Instead he was a four-time all-american track star at UT-San Antonio. So he's fast.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.