Chuck Pagano Will Return to Colts on Monday After Three-Month Battle With Leukemia

by Doug Kyed on Sun, Dec 23, 2012 at 6:54PM

The Colts are getting their head coach back just in time for the playoffs.

On Sunday, the Colts clinched a playoff berth and learned that Chuck Pagano will return to coaching on Monday. Pagano will address the team at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve, and will be available to the media at 12:15 p.m, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Pagano began treatment for Leukemia on Sept. 27, one day after being diagnosed. The Colts have gone 9-3 under interim head coach Bruce Arians, including a Week 16 playoff-clinching victory over the Chiefs on Sunday.

The Colts’ 10-5 season has been a shock to many, especially after finishing the 2011 season 2-14. The Colts face the Texans in Week 17. Indianapolis is locked into the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, while the Texans are fighting to keep the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.