Olson moves toward return from injury

Ben Olson was allowed to speak to the media after practice Tuesday. That’s a sure sign the UCLA junior quarterback is getting close to returning from a knee injury that has sidelined him since Oct. 6.

He showed the most mobility since suffering the injury, getting under center for about 25% of the repetitions during team offense and leaving the rest for starter Osaar Rasshan and backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

“It felt pretty sore going to my right and things like that,” Olson said. “Hopefully, tomorrow it won’t be too sore and I’ll be able to practice and do a little bit more.”

Olson threw seven touchdown passes in five games before the injury. In the five games since, Rasshan and Patrick Cowan, who is recovering from a concussion and collapsed lung, combined for only three touchdown passes. More important, the Bruins (5-5, 4-3) have lost four of five since Olson went down.

If needed, Olson said he could play against Oregon on Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl, although he has not yet been named the backup, Coach Karl Dorrell said.

“I’m definitely not 100%,” Olson said. “But if I’m needed, I’d love for the opportunity to be out there.”

Rasshan, a sophomore who converted back to quarterback after moving to wide receiver over the summer, said he’s not feeling additional pressure as Olson gets close to returning.

“I think the pressure to perform, period, is there,” he said. “Personally, as a team, we’re just focusing on getting a win. You can’t worry about who’s in or who’s out because we don’t make those decisions.”

Craig Sheppard started the season No. 5 on the depth chart at running back, but it’s looking more like the walk-on sophomore from San Marcos will be making his first college start Saturday.

Chris Markey missed UCLA’s last game against Arizona State on Nov. 10 with a foot injury. He has been limited in practice this week, though he’s expected to play. The running back position became even thinner during practice Tuesday, as sophomore backup Christian Ramirez was taken to the hospital with a recurring nosebleed, Dorrell said

“I’m a little concerned about that,” Dorrell said.

Sheppard, who quit the team last season to focus on track and field, was trying to remain calm as the game against Oregon approached.

“I just try not to psych myself out too much,” he said.

Sheppard got the itch to return to the football team after listening to his three roommates, all football players, talk about the good times. He asked about returning over the summer.

“I was just happy to be back on and do whatever I could do, whether it’s contributing on scout teams or special teams,” he said.

Sheppard has 20 carries on the season for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon continues to deal with its own injury issues, most notably the loss of quarterback Dennis Dixon to a season-ending knee injury last Thursday against Arizona. But like the Bruins, the Ducks appear to be getting healthy in other areas.

According to reports, Brady Leaf, who replaced Dixon, sat out Monday’s practice because of an ankle injury but returned to practice Tuesday. Jonathan Stewart, the team’s leading rusher, missed Tuesday’s practice with shoulder and toe injuries but is also expected to play against the Bruins.

A.J. Tuitele, a senior linebacker from Long Beach who broke his foot against California on Sept. 29, dressed out for the first time since the injury and should be ready to play against the Bruins.

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dan.arritt@latimes.com

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vs. Oregon (8-2, 5-2)

Saturday, Rose Bowl

12:30 p.m., Channel 7