Maryland quarterback Max Bortenschlager is expected to miss eight weeks after suffering a stress fracture in either his foot or leg, Terps coach Mike Locksley said Saturday.

Bortenschlager, a redshirt junior who's started nine games in three years, was likely running third or fourth in Maryland's quarterback competition, but provided depth in camp -- and an experienced backup in case of injuries. Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson is the expected starter, but Bortenschlager's absence means one less player competing for the backup slots on the depth chart. Locksley called him the "Steady Eddy" of the group after last weekend's scrimmage.

Jackson, meanwhile, had seemed to have a hold on the starting job, but junior Tyrrell Pigrome is gaining on him; he split first-team reps with Jackson in a scrimmage today and continues to show improved accuracy as a passer.

"Definitely. That's, to me, the missing link with him. He's been a guy who has won some games around here. He's been a guy who's made some plays with his feet. The improvement we've seen in the passing game has been a pleasant surprise," Locksley said. "He's made progress from summer to now as a thrower. So no doubt it makes it tougher because the competition between those guys has been a back and forth deal.

"Both of those guys, Piggy and Josh, have done some good things," he said. "It's going to be interesting."

Locksley reiterated that he wants to name a quarterback on Sunday or Monday the week of the season opener, Aug. 31 against Howard.

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