Malachi Toney’s availability for Miami’s showdown with No. 11 Notre Dame is hanging in the balance after the Hurricanes’ star receiver rolled his ankle in practice and underwent further testing.
Sources told On3 that Toney is still pushing to suit up Saturday night in South Bend, and he has not been ruled out. ESPN College Football senior writer Pete Thamel confirmed the injury was suffered in practice on Wednesday afternoon, while Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported on X that a Miami coach told friends he’s hopeful Toney will be back tomorrow and play on Saturday. The belief inside the program, according to that report, is that the injury is not serious and won’t have long-term implications.
A Miami assistant also downplayed the issue to associates at midday, though Toney’s camp has kept the final call close to the vest. The reality is simple: only Toney will know whether he can go.
That uncertainty matters because Miami has leaned heavily on him all season, and he has answered every time he’s been nicked up. Toney has dealt with minor setbacks throughout the 2026 season without missing significant time. He briefly left against Wake Forest with upper-body discomfort, had a shoulder issue against Clemson, and also dealt with lower-leg and ankle concerns against Florida State and Pittsburgh.
Each time, he came back quickly and kept producing.
Against Pitt, he limped off after a short catch, spent time in the medical tent, then returned to catch a 53-yard touchdown and finish with 16 receptions for 194 yards and three scores.
That kind of toughness has become part of his profile, even if it has flown a little under the radar while Miami’s offense has revolved around him. Through eight games, the Heisman candidate has 73 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Those numbers put him among the national leaders, tie him for the Miami single-season touchdown record, and give him five 100-yard games plus multiple-touchdown outings in several contests. He’s also in the Heisman conversation alongside quarterback Darian Mensah.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has already singled out Toney’s speed, route-running, and competitiveness, and he pointed back to Toney’s debut against the Irish last season, when he had six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
If Toney can’t go, or if he’s limited, Miami will need more from the rest of its pass-catching group against a Notre Dame defense that has been stingy overall. Senior transfer Cooper Barkate would be the first name called, and he’s been the most steady secondary option with 28 catches for 372 yards and four touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Daylyn Upshaw has added 22 receptions for 263 yards and two scores, flashing big-play ability when given chances.
Tight end Elija Lofton gives Miami a dependable target in the middle of the field, while younger players such as Somourian Wingo and others could see more snaps. The ground game, led by Mark Fletcher Jr., Javian Mallory, and others, would also be asked to carry more of the load.
None of that fully replaces Toney’s burst after the catch or his sheer volume, but it does give Miami enough depth to keep moving if the injury proves more serious than expected.
For now, though, the focus stays on Toney. Miami’s undefeated start and its College Football Playoff positioning have been built around his production, and his status will be one of the biggest things to watch the rest of the way as he continues battling through nagging injuries.
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Miami Needs Damon Wilson II To Reignite Its Pass Rush Vs Notre Dame
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Against Notre Dame, Miami could use Wilson to rediscover the pressure that made him such an intriguing addition in the first place. The Hurricanes have been vulnerable through the air, even as theyve stood out nationally against the run, so getting more disruption off the edge would go a long way toward balancing out a defense that has been sturdy in one area and stretched in another. [Read more 🡒]