Notre Dame prepares for Miami with Malachi Toney’s status uncertain
Coach Marcus Freeman said the Irish are planning for either scenario as reports say Miami’s leading receiver is expected to miss the game after ankle surgery.
Notre Dame is preparing for Saturday’s game against Miami for either possibility involving injured receiver Malachi Toney, coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday, Nov. 5, as reports indicated the Hurricanes star is expected to miss the matchup after ankle surgery. Freeman said the Irish began preparing Sunday and must be ready to adjust to Miami’s lineup.
What Freeman said about Toney’s availability
“We’ll see if he plays or not,” Freeman said on his weekly call, according to the South Bend Tribune. “We’ve got to have a plan to make sure if he plays we’re ready (and) if he doesn’t how we’ll adjust.” He said Miami has other players capable of shaping its offense and that Notre Dame needs to prepare for whoever takes the field.
ESPN, citing sources, reported that Toney is having surgery for a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss the Notre Dame game and likely several more weeks, with a possible return in the postseason. The South Bend Tribune described national media reports of a four-to-six-week recovery. Miami acknowledged Toney’s injury in a Wednesday statement but gave no further specifics, ESPN reported. The expected absence is reported information; Freeman’s comments left open whether Toney might play Saturday.
Miami’s other offensive threats
Toney leads Miami with 73 receptions, 1,027 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns, ESPN reported. Cooper Barkate, a transfer from Duke who joined quarterback Darian Mensah, ranks second on the team in catches, with 28 for 372 yards and four touchdowns. Freeman said Miami has a “long list” of players it can put on the field, including running backs, tight ends and younger receivers.
Mark Fletcher Jr., a 225-pound senior, leads the Hurricanes’ rushing attack, which had 22 touchdowns and ranked 10th nationally at 5.5 yards per carry, the South Bend Tribune reported. Toney’s previous meeting with Notre Dame was his college debut in 2025: he caught six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 27–24 home win, a detail reported by both the Tribune and ESPN.
Notre Dame’s reported injury list
ESPN reported that linebacker Drayk Bowen would be out with an ankle injury, while safety Brauntae Johnson and cornerback DJ McKinney remained sidelined. Defensive linemen Francis Brewu and Jason Onye were listed as questionable with knee injuries. Those absences and uncertainties add to the personnel decisions Notre Dame is preparing for as it faces Miami’s offense.
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Miami vs. Notre Dame: Where each team holds an edge
No. 11 Notre Dame hosts No. 1 Miami on Saturday in a matchup with advantages for both sides—and without injured Miami receiver Malachi Toney.
Sources and context
- How Notre Dame football is processing Malachi Toney injury reportsSouth Bend Tribune (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Notre Dame preparing for injured WR Toney, Miami's other 'great players'ESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.