Miami Hurricanes star receiver Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain in practice Wednesday and is expected to undergo surgery, though the program hopes he could return for a potential College Football Playoff run.
Toney leads the Hurricanes with 73 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, accounting for 35.1% of the team's receptions, 38.6% of receiving yards, and 46.4% of receiving touchdowns. His absence would be a significant blow ahead of Saturday's game against Notre Dame.
Impact on Miami's Offense
Toney's versatility allows offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to attack defenses in multiple ways. Without him, the defense can focus more on slowing Miami's run game, which ranks 21st nationally at 202.5 yards per game. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory benefit from the respect defenses give Toney's deep threat.
Heisman Trophy Implications
Toney entered the week as a Heisman favorite with +290 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, trailing only quarterback Darian Mensah at +170. After the injury news, Toney's odds dropped to +800 and he was eventually removed from the board. Mensah's odds shifted to +165, while Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith moved to the top at +160. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr rose to +550, and the Irish are now 7.5-point favorites over Miami.
