By Eric Prisbell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 11:15 AM

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said yesterday that defensive lineman Travis Ivey will miss the next three to six weeks because of a broken foot.

"He was just running, planted his foot and broke his foot," Friedgen said. "They don't know the severity of it yet, but the best-case scenario would be three weeks."

Ivey had been performing particularly well in camp before he suffered the injury in Monday's late afternoon practice. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound junior had been second on the depth chart at nose tackle behind senior Bemi Otulaja.

"Ivey was playing his best football," Friedgen said. "It's a shame because I really thought he was starting to come on. We've got to overcome that."

Ivey's absence will put more of an onus on the play of Otulaja and Dion Armstrong, a redshirt freshman who will also compete for playing time. Armstrong has had "good days and bad days," Friedgen said. "When he is good, he is very good. When he is bad, he is very bad. It really depends on which day he wants to practice."

Another defensive lineman, end Carl Russell, tore his meniscus and will miss at least the next three weeks after he undergoes surgery Wednesday morning, Friedgen said. Defensive end Mack Frost, meantime, returned to practice after dealing with fluid in his knee the past few days . Frost missed spring practice while recovering from knee surgery.

Wide receiver Emani Lee-Odai was admitted and released from a local hospital after suffering from dehydration.

No news on the quarterback front, but Friedgen said he is optimistic he will name a starter following Saturday night's scrimmage. Chris Turner, who started the final seven games last season, Jordan Steffy, who started the first five games last season, and Josh Portis are competing to be the starter for the season opener against Delaware on Aug. 30.

"I'm really looking for the guy who is going to be most consistent," Friedgen said. "They are all up and down. So far, Jordan has been more consistent. The other two have had a bad day. Jordan has not had the bad day yet. Somebody needs to separate themselves." . . .

Maryland's first-team offense scored twice against the first-team defense in yesterday's goal-line scrimmage. The Terrapins will take part in a mock scrimmage Thursday.