INDIANAPOLIS — Bruce Arians stood at the podium Friday, answering questions and doing the same thing he’s done since Oct. 1.

It may have been his last weekday appearance as Indianapolis’ interim coach.

With doctors giving head coach Chuck Pagano clearance to return to his job, Arians sounded cautiously optimistic that Pagano would be running the team Monday for the first time since he was diagnosed with leukemia.

“It’s still up in the air, but he feels pretty solid that he’s ready to go,” Arians said, reiterating the point he’s made all week — he’s eager to give the reins back to his longtime friend.

Pagano hasn’t coached a game since a Sept. 23 loss to Jacksonville. Three days later, he was admitted to an Indianapolis hospital to begin the first of three rounds of chemotherapy.

But Arians wasn’t told about the diagnosis until Sept. 30, and players and the other assistants didn’t find out until a team meeting Oct. 1.

Indy has gone 8-3 since Pagano left and has moved within one win of clinching a playoff spot.