By MATT BECKER (STATS Senior Writer) | The Associated Press
Following a sluggish start, the Green Bay Packers like the direction their offense is headed.
The Indianapolis Colts still have plenty of room for improvement on both sides of the ball, but the play on the field isn't their only concern.
After learning their coach could miss the rest of the season recovering from cancer, the Colts will be playing for Chuck Pagano in Sunday's matchup with the visiting Packers.
In a somber news conference Monday,
Indianapolis (1-2) announced Pagano had been diagnosed with leukemia and is expected to be hospitalized six to eight weeks as he undergoes treatment. The first-year coach, who turned 52 years old Tuesday, will be treated with chemotherapy and drugs, said Dr. Larry Cripe, Pagano's physician.
"I think short of death, this is the worst type of news you want to hear,''
Andrew Luck said. "We'll do everything we can in honor of what coach Pagano is going through in honor of his fight, which is much more important than this kid's game we play.''
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who was diagnosed with
prostate cancer in 2007, will coach Indianapolis on an interim basis, though Pagano probably won't resume his full coaching duties this season. The Colts, who are coming off their bye week, are hoping they can make
the playoffs to give Pagano a better shot at returning, and at the very least, win this week for their coach.
"I know in meeting with the team, in meeting with the coaches, there's nothing more than we want to get that
Green Bay game ball and have a victory game ball and be able to walk that into the hospital and put that in his hands,'' team owner Jim Irsay said. "That's our goal.''
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