LaRon Landry is back in Colts starting lineup

Once-suspended safety LaRon Landry has earned his starting position back, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Wednesday.

Apparently, Landry has done everything the coaching staff has asked of him since returning from a four-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs. Landry was re-activated Nov. 4.

"We asked him to this, this and this, (and) he did that," said Pagano, who put the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft on special teams upon his return. "His reps every week continue to go up and he's played well. Sergio (Brown) has played well (sharing time with Landry) but (Landry's) earned his job back, so that's why he's back starting."

Landry is better than Brown defending the run, which figures to be beneficial in Sunday's AFC semifinal game in Denver given that the Broncos have featured running back C.J. Anderson in recent weeks. Anderson had games of 167 and 168 yards in late November.

Landry, who rarely speaks to the media, seemed proud Wednesday of how he handle the road back to his position.

"Just as a competitor and as a man, you have to be ready for change and adapt to change," he said. "You have to know how to handle it.

"Going through things in life and in sports in general, I always had to overcome adversity. It was a shock, but it wasn't like I was going to stop working because my name and who I am stands behind everything that I do, on and off the field."

THE GAME OF LUCK, MANNING

Sunday's battle -- not the Colts against the Broncos but Andrew Luck challenging Peyton Manning -- attracts a spotlight neither quarterback enjoys.

"Part of the job, I guess," Luck said. "Honestly, (ordinary) people don't ask me too much about it; it's you guys on the media days. And I would, too.

"I think (we're) fans who love storylines, right, and it seems to be the nature, the sports culture today. So be it."

Luck was asked if he could take Manning one-on-one.

"(In) basketball?" he said, laughing.

Manning was asked if he ever imagined having to beat the Colts in the playoffs.

"Certainly not while I was playing for the Colts," he said in a manner lacking humor. "That would be a hard thing to do, don't you think?"

Manning was even more disinterested in whether his father, Archie, will chat with Luck's father, Oliver, this week. They are former NFL teammates. Luck decided to play along.

"If they do, I'm sure they'll talk some smack to each other or something," he said. "Who knows what dads do."

THE BEARD'S STAYING

Since four months have passed since the Colts and Broncos last met, Luck's beard has experienced significant growth. Denver media obviously figured that constitutes a conversation piece.

"I know (it's) a bad look, I get that," Luck said. "But I hate shaving during the season so I guess it's here to stay."

Luck said a clean shave comes with "razor burn."

"The chin strap is uncomfortable," he said.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

On an obviously far more serious matter, Colts defensive tackle Cory Redding called the impact of playing in Denver's higher altitude "a bunch of (nothing)." His Colorado-born coach disagreed.

"I remember teams coming in to play us (at the University of Wyoming) from California, Hawaii (and) in warm-ups they were struggling because of that," Pagano said. "Having said all that, our guys adapted pretty quickly in the first quarter of the first ballgame out there. There's a little bit of an acclimation period to it (but) you've got to go play. They've got oxygen (machines) on the sideline."

Pagano said the Colts considered going to Denver early but decided to stick with their normal routine.

ETC.

Pagano declined to elaborate on the status of running back Trent Richardson, who played just one snap against Cincinnati last weekend. "We're going to evaluate the situation as we go through the week," he said. ... Cornerback Greg Toler (knee) was held out of Wednesday's practice. Center Jonotthan Harrison (concussion) and linebacker Jerrell Freeman (abdomen) were limited in the session. Center A.Q. Shipley, who missed last weekend's game, participated fully.

Star reporter Stephen Holder contributed to this report. Follow Star reporter Curt Cavin on Twitter: @curtcavin.