INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is thanking interim coach Bruce Arians for taking over and doing a "masterful" job in leading the team to the NFL playoffs.
Pagano was back coaching the Colts on Monday, making his return the day after rookie Andrew Luck helped the team beat Kansas City and clinch a spot in the postseason.
Pagano was on indefinite leave to battle leukemia since Oct. 1. The day he left, he had asked Arians to step in and take over.
Pagano said at Colts headquarters Monday: "You carried the torch and all you went out and did was win ballgames."
He adds Arians "did it with dignity" and "class."