Miami Receiver Malachi Toney Scheduled for Ankle Surgery

Malachi Toney, a leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy and the top receiver for the number one ranked Miami Hurricanes, will undergo surgery for a high ankle sprain. The procedure is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on Wednesday night.

The injury alters the immediate schedule for the undefeated team. Miami faces the number four ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday. The Hurricanes will enter that contest without one of the most productive players in college football. Toney has appeared in all 24 games he has played since enrolling at the university last year. He has now missed his first game due to an ankle injury, a body part that has previously caused him issues but did not require him to sit out.

Miami officials confirmed the injury occurred during practice on Wednesday morning. The athletic department stated that Toney is undergoing further evaluation by the medical staff. They noted that they will share additional updates as appropriate. A source close to the team said the exact timeline for his recovery will not be known until after the surgical procedure is complete.

Toney’s absence creates a statistical challenge for the Hurricanes. He accounts for 35 percent of the team’s catches and 39 percent of their receiving yards this season. He is also responsible for 46 percent of Miami’s touchdown receptions. Across all Football Bowl Subdivision players, he ranks second with 73 catches, is tied for second with 13 touchdowns, and ranks third with 1,027 receiving yards.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman described Toney as "as good as anyone you'll see" earlier in the week. The Irish possess the top-ranked defense in the nation. The matchup was widely anticipated to feature Toney against Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. This game serves as a rematch of a contest from the previous season’s opening week, which Miami won to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.