Miami's No. 1 ranking faces test as Toney heads to surgery
The Hurricanes will play Notre Dame on Saturday without their leading receiver, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in practice.
By Justin Brooks ·
Malachi Toney will undergo surgery for a high-ankle sprain, leaving the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes without their star wide receiver for Saturday's game against No. 11 Notre Dame.
Toney, a sophomore, injured his ankle during practice on Wednesday, November 4. ESPN reports he will sit out for at least four weeks, a timeline that could allow him to return in time for the College Football Playoff.
The injury removes the Hurricanes' primary offensive weapon from a contest that is critical for their national standing. Toney leads Miami with 73 receptions, 1,027 yards, and 13 touchdowns this season. His performance previously placed him among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy, though Yahoo Sports notes his odds have diminished following the injury.
Miami's offense, which averages 47.6 points per game and leads the nation in scoring, must now rely on quarterback Darian Mensah to distribute the ball differently. Wide receivers Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw will see increased targets in the absence of their teammate.
The matchup against Notre Dame carries additional weight because the Irish are ranked seven spots lower in the College Football Playoff rankings than in the AP Top 25. That gap makes the Saturday game a high-stakes event for both programs. Notre Dame will also be without a key defensive player for the last meeting, but Leonard Moore is expected to return to the field against Miami.
CBS Sports suggests that Toney's absence may also affect Darian Mensah's Heisman chances, as the quarterback's passing productivity could decline without his top target. The Hurricanes must find new ways to generate explosive plays to keep their playoff position secure.
Toney's recovery period is set to span at least four weeks, keeping him out of the immediate rotation while the team prepares for its next series of games.
