Malachi Toney Injury: Miami Star WR Needs Surgery for High Ankle Sprain, Will Miss Notre Dame

Miami star wide receiver Malachi Toney has a high ankle sprain and is scheduled for surgery, ESPN and the Associated Press reported Wednesday night, Nov. 4. The injury knocks the Heisman Trophy contender out of Saturday’s showdown at No. 11 Notre Dame and likely the rest of the regular season. The reported timeline still leaves room for a return in the College Football Playoff.

What happened to Malachi Toney?

Toney was hurt during Miami’s practice on Wednesday. On3 reported that he got tangled up with a defensive back during the morning session. The university released a brief statement that afternoon:

“Malachi Toney sustained an injury during Wednesday’s practice and is currently undergoing further evaluation by the team’s medical staff. We will share additional updates as appropriate.”

By Wednesday evening, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the injury was a high ankle sprain and that Toney would have surgery. The AP confirmed it through a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. CBS Sports reported the injury is not expected to be season-ending, according to the Miami Herald.

Miami has not publicly released a diagnosis or timeline. The details here come from anonymous sources and media reports.

How long will Toney be out?

Reports point to roughly four to six weeks, but nothing is official:

• ESPN: recovery from this type of injury typically takes at least four weeks. There are six weeks until the first round of the College Football Playoff.
• Yahoo Sports (via The Miami Hurricane): Ross Dellenger reported four to six weeks, making the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 5 the earliest possible return.
• AP: the initial recovery timeline won’t be known until after the surgery.

The Miami Hurricane student newspaper reported the surgery was set for Thursday, Nov. 5. As of this writing, there was no public word on how it went.

On3 reported that Toney is believed to be having a “Tightrope” procedure. That is a short operation that secures the two lower-leg bones with a high-strength suture while the ligaments heal. Surgery is often chosen for more severe high ankle sprains because recovery without it can be slow and unpredictable, On3 noted.

This is general sports reporting, not medical advice.

What it means for Miami

The timing is rough. Miami (8-0) debuted at No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday and leads the nation in scoring at 47.6 points per game, ESPN reported. Saturday’s trip to Notre Dame is the Hurricanes’ most anticipated regular-season game.

Toney has been the centerpiece of that offense. ESPN and On3 reported his season numbers:

• 73 catches, the most among Power 4 receivers
• 1,027 receiving yards
• 13 touchdown catches
• 100-plus all-purpose yards in six of eight games
• About 35% of Miami’s receptions, 39% of its receiving yards and 46% of its touchdown catches (On3)

The Miami Herald noted that Toney had never missed a college game. He briefly left a few games this season with apparent injuries before returning.

Who replaces Toney?

Quarterback Darian Mensah, a Duke transfer, still has wideouts Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw. The Miami Herald said the most likely options in the slot are sophomore Upshaw, who has been starting outside, and true freshman Vance Spafford. If Upshaw moves inside, South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs or true freshman Somorian Wingo could start outside with Barkate. Both are deep threats who have played sparingly this season.

Can he return for the playoff?

That is the hope. On3 noted that the first round runs Dec. 18-19. If Miami wins the ACC and earns a top-four seed, it would get a bye, and the quarterfinals are Dec. 30-Jan. 1, about eight weeks away. If his recovery stays on the reported four-to-six-week track, Toney could be back for a postseason run. Setbacks are always possible, and neither Miami nor Toney has publicly set a return date.

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