Miami star receiver Malachi Toney's status in doubt for ankle injury before Notre Dame game

Miami star wide receiver Malachi Toney is dealing with an ankle injury that has left his availability uncertain for the top-ranked Hurricanes' game against Notre Dame on Saturday. ESPN reported Wednesday, citing sources, that Toney is uncertain to play, and an Associated Press source said his status is unclear. The injury was reported to have occurred during practice. Insider Pete Thamel wrote on X that Toney is expected to try to play given the magnitude of the game. Miami, which is undefeated, was named No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season the day before the news. Notre Dame, 7-1, debuted at No. 11 after falling to No. 9 BYU late last month. A Notre Dame win would keep it in the playoff hunt, while a loss would likely leave it on the outside with less than a month left in the regular season. Toney, a sophomore, has 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

The New York Post leads with the possibility that Toney misses the matchup, citing ESPN's report and Thamel's post that he is expected to attempt to play. It highlights his production, including seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina, his third-shortest Heisman odds at +325, and his six-catch, 82-yard touchdown performance in last year's 27-24 win over Notre Dame. The Washington Post's excerpt, built on an AP source, stresses that the ankle issue casts doubt on his availability and calls him a top Heisman candidate, without the Thamel expectation or season stats. Yahoo Sports leads with the practice injury in question form, while ESPN centers on sourced uncertainty. Left and right outlets agree on the ankle injury and the doubt over Saturday's game. They differ in emphasis: the Post stresses doubt and his Heisman standing, while the New York Post adds the report that Toney intends to play and details his season numbers.