By MICHAEL MAROT

The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts head coach Chuck Pagano is winning his battle with leukemia.

On Monday, Dr. Larry Cripe, Pagano’s physician, told The Associated Press that the illness which has sidelined Indy’s head coach for more than a month was in “complete remission.” Cripe said a morning exam showed Pagano’s white blood cell count and bone marrow tests were normal as he prepares to start a second round of chemotherapy.

The doctor explained patients typically undergo three rounds of treatment to wipe out any potentially lingering cancer cells. The second round of chemo is scheduled to start later this week and will last four to six weeks, Cripe said.

“His (blood cell) count was great,” interim coach Bruce Arians told reporters after Pagano visited the team complex Monday. “He knows that this next one (round) is going to be really tough and we’re praying for him, and he’s going to be fine.”