Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are limping into their bye week after a huge Week 12 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Lambeau Field.

After defeating the Rams by a final score of 36-28, the Packers once again made a statement to the rest of the NFL. They are still, without a doubt, a legitimate Super Bowl contender this year.

The Packers have been thrown quite a bit of adversity this season. From Rodgers' situation in the offseason, to injury issues piling up, they have handled the problems well. Moving forward, Green Bay should expect more issues and need to be ready to handle it the same way they have already this season.

Speaking of the bye week, it couldn't have come at a better time for the Packers. To say they are banged up would be putting it lightly. Green Bay has suffered plenty of high-profile injuries, but have still found ways to continue winning big games and looking like a Super Bowl favorite.

Hopefully, the team can get a bit healthier throughout the next couple of weeks. Getting a week off this late in the season is not normal, but it does make for a very grueling first 12 weeks. It will be interesting to see how this break ends up impacting the team for the rest of the year.

All of that being said, let's take a look at three intriguing storylines to keep an eye on for the Packers throughout their bye week. They are all injury related, but they are equally as important.

Packers Storylines During Bye Week

3. Can Jaire Alexander and Za'Darius Smith return?

One of the key questions for the Packers the rest of the way this season will be the status of star defensive players Jaire Alexander and Za'Darius Smith. Both players have missed the majority of the season due to injuries, but there is hope that they could return. If Green Bay can get both of them back, their Super Bowl chances will increase dramatically.

Even without their two best defensive players, the Packers' defense has stepped up in a big way. At times, they have looked like one of the best units in the entire NFL. On other occasions, they have been a solid unit that can get a stop when needed and force turnovers.

Should the Packers be able to welcome Smith and Alexander back, their defense would rise to an even higher level. Both players make such a big impact on the game and Green Bay needs them. This is something that fans should keep their eyes focused on over the next week or two.

2. Will David Bakhtiari be able to return to the field?

Another major question mark for the Packers has to do with the health status of superstar left tackle David Bakhtiari. The Packers have been hoping to see him come back over the last few weeks, but he has not been able to make his anticipated return just yet.

It has been reported that Bakhtiari did undergo follow-up surgery on his knee. How serious that surgery was has not been released. Matt LaFleur has been vocal about hoping to see his star offensive lineman get back on the field this season.

This will be something that could dictate the Packers' success moving forward. While the Green Bay offensive line has performed admirably despite not having Bakhtiari and injuries to both starting center Josh Myers and star lineman Elgton Jenkins, they need a reinforcement. If Bakhtiari can return, he would be exactly what Green Bay needs on the line.

1. What's the deal with Aaron Rodgers' toe injury?

During his time recovering from COVID-19, Rodgers announced that he broke his pinky toe. He has had a noticeable limp toward the end of games since that injury and has been open about the pain he is going through. In fact, heading into the bye week, Rodgers even considered having surgery on the toe.

Rodgers has since decided to forego surgery, but he is seeking other options to deal with the pain. This is something to watch throughout the remainder of the season. But, for right now, fans just want answers as far as how serious the injury is and how much it could impact the Packers' franchise quarterback in the future.

Ideally, this is a situation that he can play with for the rest of the year. The pain has been obvious, but Rodgers has remained lethal. Fans can only hope and pray that he will continue being able to deal with the pain and continue torching opposing defenses.