Miami Hurricanes’ Malachi Toney Out For Rest of Season, Potential Return

MIAMI, Fla. – In less than 12 hours of the initial Malachi Toney news about suffering an ankle injury in Wednesday's practice, the Miami Hurricanes star will miss the rest of the regular season.

According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, the 19-year-old will undergo a high ankle-sprain surgery following further testing. Toney could return in the College Football Playoffs, as early as a four-week recovery. Unfortunately, he will miss this Saturday's prime-time matchup against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

Toney is currently third in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,027 receiving yards on 73 catches while scoring 13 touchdowns. He had broken several program records over the last couple of seasons, while on pace to rewrite more. Toney's setback came as a shock to the college football world, as the electrifying playmaker hadn't missed a game before, until now.

In eight games, the Liberty City (Fla.) native had logged 439 offensive snaps, plus an additional 35 on special teams as a punt returner. Toney leads the Hurricanes in targets, catches, all-purpose yards, and touchdowns. He's played a big role in the highest-scoring offense in FBS, which currently averages 47.6 points.

The Hurricanes have released advertisements in favor of Toney and quarterback Darian Mensah for the Heisman Trophy. The sophomore wide receiver was among the favorites to receive an invitation to the New York City (NY) ceremony in December. It could still be the case, but recent circumstances could change things.

Losing Toney changes the offensive game-plan, especially for Hurricanes offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. He will need to demand more from others in the passing game, such as Cooper Barkate, Daylyn Upshaw, Vandrevius Jacobs, Somourian Wingo, and Vance Spafford. It won't be easy to fill the void Toney is leaving behind, but the depth gives them a fighting chance.

Notre Dame's All-American cornerback Leonard Moore was projected to primarily line up against college football's rising star. Instead, he will take on different defensive assignments. Moore has 13 total tackles this season thus far, including 10 solos and three assists, with no interceptions.

Toney's situation could have been lingering, as in the Hurricanes' 52-23 win over Pitt on Oct. 24, he needed to go into the medical tent limping, then returned not long later. It's an unfortunate situation that head coach Mario Cristobal will need to guide the rest of the squad through as the final stretch of the season is upon them.

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