Miami will be without its most dangerous receiving weapon for Saturday’s showdown at Notre Dame. Star wide receiver Malachi Toney has a high ankle sprain and is expected to undergo surgery, according to reports, ruling him out of the matchup between the No. 1 Hurricanes and No. 11 Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Toney injured his ankle during Wednesday’s practice. The sophomore is reportedly facing a recovery period of at least four weeks, with a return during the College Football Playoff still a possibility. Miami has not announced a definitive return date.
The timing could hardly be worse for the undefeated Hurricanes. Through eight games, Toney has 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns, putting him among the nation’s leading receivers and in the Heisman Trophy conversation.
His absence puts more pressure on quarterback Darian Mensah and fellow receivers Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw to generate explosive plays against a Notre Dame defense ranked among the best in the country.
The anticipated battle between Toney and Irish cornerback Leonard Moore was one of the game’s marquee individual matchups. Instead, Miami must adjust its passing attack without a player responsible for a substantial share of its receiving production.
At 8-0, Miami enters South Bend atop the initial playoff rankings, while 7-1 Notre Dame is looking for a signature result. For the Hurricanes, Saturday is now as much a test of offensive depth as championship ambition.
Reporting: Associated Press via FOX Sports; Yahoo Sports.
