Lang, Sitton, Burnett set tone for big night

They were certain to be overlooked. But for them, that's nothing new.

Three Green Bay Packers starters who were battling injuries were active for Sunday's game.

Starting guards Josh Sitton (toe) and T.J. Lang (ankle), and safety Morgan Burnett (calf) all were listed as questionable to play but suited up for the Packers' 55-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

All three ended up making significant contributions.

Sitton and Lang helped stabilize and offense that produced 16 first downs, 358 and 42 points in the first half, a half where Rodgers was not sacked in 24 pass attempts.

"It was very important to have Josh and T.J. in there,'' said right tackle Bryan Bulaga. "They're two very good players, two experienced players. That's just the type of guys there are. They can't practice all week and go out there and perform pretty darn well. Obviously we're confident with the guys we have behind them to have those two guys in there means a lot with experience and leadership.''

Rookie center Corey Linsley felt Lang and Sitton set the tone by suiting up.

"It says a lot about our toughness and those two guys, it says a lot about them I think more than anybody else,'' he said. "To play through foot injuries, ankle injuries, it screws with your head as a lineman. For them to do that is unbelievable.''

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers also gave credit to the guys who play positions that are often overlooked.

"The line played excellent tonight,'' Rodgers said. "Got to give those guys a lot of credit pushing through some difficult injuries.''

Afterward, Lang said he wasn't feeling any worse for the wear.

"I feel all right, still a little sore,'' Lang said. "Definitely felt a lot better than I thought I was going to around mid-week. Didn't really have any setbacks today, so that's a positive.''

Lang said he and Sitton did not practice Saturday but felt he would be ready to go on Friday.

"I think when we were on the field Friday I had a little bit of confidence it would hold up,'' he said. "I had a pretty bulky tape job. I didn't want to be in position where I could re-hurt it. And the pain wasn't as bad as it was a couple of days ago.''

Burnett had four tackles in the first half, including an 8-yard sack of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on a fourth-and-10 play from the Packers' 34 late in the first half.