Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano has been diagnosed with leukemia and will miss and indefinite amount of time with the Colts, team owner Jim Irsay announced Monday.
At the news conference, Irsay said that Pagano is expected be hospitalized for six to eight weeks as he deals with treatment and rehabilitation.
"I am optimistic. I feel with every fiber of my body and I know Chuck feels that he can beat this thing," Irsay told the Associated Press.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will serve as the interim coach in Pagano's absence. Irsay said the choice was requested by the coach.
According to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, Pagano said in a text that he "will be back soon."
Irsay spoke about the possibility of Pagano coaching again full-time this year.
"I think it's unlikely he'll be all-in as the head coach the rest of this season," Irsay said. "He may be able to come back and be in the press box or something."
Pagano was diagnosed by Dr. Larry Cripe, a physician at Indiana University's Simon Cancer Center, with acute myeloid leukemia, in which the bone marrow is producing abnormal white blood cells that interfere with healthy blood cells. Symptoms can include weakness, weight loss and easy bruising or bleeding. Treatments can include chemotherapy, drugs and radiation therapy.
"He is ready to take this fight on and he is a fighter," Irsay said.
Pagano had been experiencing fatigue and bruising starting back in training camp, but didn't get checked out until this week, which was a bye week for the Colts. Since last Wednesday Pagano has been in intensive care as he looks to start treatment.
According to the article, Cripe said Pagano began the "arduous" treatment last week and that many adults do recover from the disease. Cripe said that Pagano is handling the chemotherapy treatments well so far. The goal of the treatment is to "cure" Pagano, which means the disease remains in remission for 3 to 5 years.
"This is not an easy day for any of us," Arians said. "It was not the way I ever dreamed about addressing a group like this. But I know he'll get through it."
The 52-year-old coach was hired in the offseason by the Colts to help rebuild the team after a 1-15 season and the departure of franchise quarterback Peyton Manning. He replaced Jim Caldwell and signaled a new direction for the franchise after drafting Andrew Luck. Pagano is 1-2 as the Colts coach, winning his first game on Sept. 16 against the Vikings.
Pagano spent four years with the Baltimore Ravens as a secondary coach and defensive coordinator.
The Colts will have to do their best to focus on football, as they host the 2-2 Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
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