​The “near future” still isn’t very clear.New Mexico head coach Jason Eck said Monday that quarterback Jack Layne still doesn’t have a clear timeline to return from a nagging elbow injury.The Lobos’ fifth-year quarterback missed all of spring practice after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a torn tendon in his elbow. While Layne has been active in each of UNM’s five practices, he has not been observed throwing with his right arm despite doing so earlier this summer.Jack Layne still doesn’t have a clear timeline to return, per Jason Eck.“He’s frustrated with it. Just trying to keep his head up.” https://t.co/7LbTyFJSGlpic.twitter.com/nQUkJbDqK6— Sean Reider (@lenaweereider) August 11, 2026Eck previously said Layne would be out for the “near future.” He added that UNM is now preparing for the possibility that he won’t be available for UNM’s Sept. 5 season opener against Central Michigan.“We don’t have a clear timeline right now,” Eck said. “I know he’s frustrated with it, just trying to keep his head up. You know, keep rehabbing and supporting those other guys who I think are doing a good job.”In Layne’s absence, UNM is holding a quarterback competition between Oregon transfer Luke Moga, sixth-year senior James Laubstein and sophomore Toa Fa’avae. The competition has been a “pretty even battle,” per Eck.Eck said UNM plans to name a starting quarterback within two weeks of its season opener to ensure they’re able to get more reps with the first-team offense.Earlier this summer, Jason Eck said he’d like to see Luke Moga maybe not rely on his legs as much as he did in the spring. He also wanted Toa Fa’avae to do a better job of minimizing mistakes.How is that going at the start of fall camp? Here’s Eck’s answer. pic.twitter.com/00KSErXdql— Sean Reider (@lenaweereider) August 11, 2026“I think we have a lot of good quarterbacks … One guy might be slightly better on a day, but no one’s been able to string together like, three practices in a row where he’s had the best day,” Eck said. “Which is kind of what you’re looking for.”At Mountain West Media Days in July, Eck said he wanted to see Moga rely less on his legs than he did upon first arriving at UNM. He also wanted Fa’avae to do a better job of minimizing mistakes after a turnover-prone spring.To this point, Eck believes he’s seen improvement in both aspects.“Luke’s getting better with that … I certainly don’t want him to not use his legs, it’s just that we want to use that as, you know of plan B and use your arm as plan A,” he indeed. “I think Toa is a work in progress. We had a few ill-advised throws (early in camp) but I think he’s done a better job of protecting the football and making some good decisions.“ … And then James has gotta keep doing a good job of protecting the football. He had one interception in seven-on-seven today that was a little bit of an ill-advised throw, but I think all