Miami star receiver Malachi Toney is uncertain for Saturday’s game against Notre Dame due to an ankle injury, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Max Olson on Wednesday.
Toney is expected to attempt to play in the game given its magnitude, sources said, and the injury is not expected to be a long-term setback.
Miami said in a statement that Toney was injured during Wednesday’s practice.
“Malachi Toney sustained an injury during Wednesday’s practice and is currently undergoing further evaluation by the team’s medical staff,” the statement said. “We will share additional updates as appropriate.”
The 5-foot-11, 188-pound sophomore has emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender with 73 receptions (most among Power 4 receivers) for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns and has surpassed 100 all-purpose yards in six of eight games for the undefeated Hurricanes.
Miami debuted at No. 1 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday. The Hurricanes are leading the nation in scoring at 47.6 points per game this season with a passing attack led by Duke transfer quarterback Darian Mensah and wideouts Toney, Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw.
If Toney can play, he’ll face a major test against Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. The No. 3 overall player on Mel Kiper’s Big Board was held out of Notre Dame’s 35-13 win over Navy to recover from an injury but is expected to play against the Hurricanes.
Toney currently has the fourth-best Heisman odds according to DraftKings at +700 behind Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Mensah and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr.
