Miami gets reported bad news on Malachi Toney before Notre Dame game
Miami Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney hurt his ankle at practice on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and by that night the concern around him had moved well past Saturday.
Toney has a high ankle sprain and will have surgery, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported, with a recovery that typically takes at least four weeks and a plan aimed at getting him back for the College Football Playoff. The Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds, citing an unnamed source, reported that the initial timeline will come after the operation. Miami’s own statement said only that Toney was undergoing further evaluation.
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Saturday will be the first game the Heisman Trophy candidate misses since enrolling at Miami, after he played in all 24 of the program’s games over the last two seasons. He has 73 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns this year, which accounts for 35% of Miami’s catches, 39% of its receiving yards and 46% of its touchdown receptions.
Oct 4, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) runs against Florida State Seminoles linebacker Elijah Herring (31) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw are next in line, and their combined totals stood at 50 catches for 635 yards and six touchdowns entering the week. Quarterback Darian Mensah remains, with 25 touchdown passes and one interception. The Hurricanes lead the country at 47.6 points per game, and nearly half of their touchdown catches just left the lineup.
Why Miami’s seed could decide when Malachi Toney plays again
Four weeks from Wednesday is Dec. 2, after home games against the Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Tech Hokies and Boston College Eagles. If Miami reaches the ACC title game, that comes Dec. 5. First-round playoff games follow on Dec. 18 and 19, on the campuses of the higher seeds.
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A top-four seed would push Miami’s first playoff game to Dec. 30 at the earliest, eight weeks after Wednesday’s injury and 12 days after the first round opens. Miami sits at No. 1 with three spots of cushion for a bye, and that cushion now has medical value on top of its usual worth.
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) returns a punt and is tackled by Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford (27) during first half of the first round game of the CFP National Playoff at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Miami ranks 122nd in the country in pass defense, and it gave up 850 yards in its last two close calls, a 43-35 double-overtime win over the Florida State Seminoles and a 38-35 win at the North Carolina Tar Heels. Miami has been winning those shootouts on offense, which makes holding a top-four spot without its leading receiver a harder job.
Notre Dame has the top-ranked defense in the country, according to Reynolds, and cornerback Leonard Moore had been expected to draw the Toney matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. “He’s as good as anyone you’ll see,” Marcus Freeman said earlier this week.
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The committee’s final rankings come out Dec. 6, and they will set how long Toney has to get ready.
Related Readings:
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Hurricanes’ No. 1 CFP spot may hide a problem Notre Dame can attack
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