Miami Hurricanes standout wide receiver Malachi Toney is expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing surgery for a high-ankle sprain suffered in practice this week. The sophomore, who leads the ACC in receptions (73), receiving yards (1,027) and receiving touchdowns (13), will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, including Saturday's marquee matchup against No. 11 Notre Dame.
Sources indicate the early recovery timeline could allow Toney to return for the ACC Championship Game, and he would have ample time to be healthy for the College Football Playoff, which begins Dec. 18. If Miami earns a top-four seed and a first-round bye, their first playoff game would not occur until Dec. 30 at the earliest.
With Toney out, the Hurricanes will look to Duke transfer Cooper Barkate to help fill the production void. Quarterback Darian Mensah, another Heisman Trophy candidate, has thrown 25 touchdowns with just one interception this season and will face his toughest test yet against Notre Dame's defense on the road.
Miami's remaining regular-season games are all at home against Duke, Virginia Tech and Boston College. A win over the Fighting Irish would give the Hurricanes significant breathing room in the playoff race, while Notre Dame desperately needs a signature victory after opening at No. 11 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.
