Colts coach Pagano released from hospital

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts won a sometimes sluggish game Sunday over the Cleveland Browns, but their best moment of the day came afterward.

Colts owner Jim Irsay told the team in the locker room that coach Chuck Pagano had been released from the hospital Sunday morning and watched Indianapolis' 17-13 win on television at home.

"I was more thrilled about that than the win," Colts quarterback Andrew Luck said.

Pagano is undergoing treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. He will continue his treatment on an outpatient basis and is not expected to return this season.

The game, a battle of rookie quarterbacks on rebuilding teams, came down to the final minutes, with the Colts' defense delivering the stop it needed.
Indianapolis defensive back Jerraud Powers managed to disrupt Brandon Weeden's pass to Josh Cooper on fourth down in Colts territory with 1:54 left to help seal the win at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts evened their record at 3-3, while the Browns fell to 1-6.

Luck completed 16 of 29 passes for 186 yards, and he rushed for two touchdowns. Weeden was 25-for-41 for 264 yards and two touchdowns.

The Colts were surprisingly effective on the ground. Rookie Vick Ballard carried the ball 20 times for 84 yards, and second-year back Delone Carter added 41 yards on 11 attempts.

Cleveland managed only 55 yards rushing, and rookie Trent Richardson played only the first half, carrying eight times for 8 yards.

Richardson, who entered the game with a rib injury, was not injured further, but Browns coach Pat Shurmur took him out because he wasn't effective.

"I told our players last week we made enough plays to win the game (against the Cincinnati Bengals)," Shurmur said. "This week we didn't, and there were a lot of contributing factors."

The Colts took a 7-0 lead on their first possession, with Luck directing an 11-play, 80-yard drive that lasted more than seven minutes. It was a mix of run and pass, starting with a 30-yard Luck-to-Reggie Wayne pass and ending with Luck's 3-yard run for the score. Luck was 4-for-4 passing for 67 yards on the drive.


(chicagotribune.com)