EUGENE -- Arik Armstead hasn't spent much of his career on the sidelines and he's hoping that doesn't have to change Saturday night.

After getting injured in Oregon's 31-24 loss to Arizona, the junior defensive lineman said he's working toward a return this week against UCLA.

"I'm getting better everyday," Armstead said on Monday with a boot on his left leg. "Doing a lot of rehab right now. I hope to play against UCLA. I'm just trying to get back as quick as possible."

It goes without saying, but the Ducks would like to use the services of their 6-foot-8, 290-pound lineman. Like Oregon, UCLA has an offensive line that has been shredded in recent weeks. Bruins' quarterback Brett Hundley was sacked 10 times in UCLA's 30-28 upset loss to Utah and the Ducks would benefit greatly from the extra pressure Armstead could provide. The Oregon defense was torched on Thursday for 495 yards of total offense by an Arizona team running out a redshirt freshman quarterback and true freshman running back. Tui Talia and T.J. Daniel both saw time on the line while Armstead sat out the second half.

In that half, the Ducks allowed three scoring drives of more than 80 yards, and on Saturday they'll face one of the best quarterback in the country in Brett Hundley.

Armstead, who has one sack and four tackles for a loss, said he's never had to deal with an injury keeping him out of a game before and doesn't want to experience it on Saturday in what may be the most important game of the season.

"That was the first time of having to sit on the sidelines," Armstead said of Thursday. "...It wasn't a fun experience."