Notre Dame braces for Miami's roster shuffle after Toney's injury
The Irish coach says the team must adapt to a new offensive configuration following the wide receiver's high ankle sprain.
By Natalie Cooper ·
The Notre Dame football team is preparing for a different Miami offense on Saturday.
Coach Marcus Freeman told reporters on Thursday that the 11th-ranked Irish have two distinct game plans. One assumes star wide receiver Malachi Toney suits up. The other accounts for his absence. Sources close to the Hurricanes told ESPN's Pete Thamel that Toney is undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain. The procedure will keep him out for the matchup against Notre Dame and likely several more weeks. A potential return is targeted for the postseason. Miami issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the injury but offered no further medical details.
Freeman learned of the injury after Wednesday's practice. Some staff members received the news earlier that day. Toney is a central figure in Miami's top-ranked attack. He leads the team with 73 receptions, 1,027 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. His absence creates a gap in the receiving corps. Cooper Barkate, a transfer from Duke, currently sits second on the depth chart. Barkate has 28 receptions for 372 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Freeman emphasized that no single player will simply replace Toney. The Hurricanes possess depth across multiple positions. "What's the one person that's going to come in [for Toney]? I don't know," Freeman said. "They've got a long list of guys that they can put on the field to be the 11th player." The coach noted that Miami can deploy talented running backs, tight ends, and young wide receivers. The defensive strategy must account for these varied threats.
Notre Dame faces its own personnel challenges. Linebacker Drayk Bowen is out with an ankle injury. Safety Brauntae Johnson and cornerback DJ McKinney remain sidelined with foot and ankle issues, respectively. Defensive linemen Francis Brewu and Jason Onye are listed as questionable due to knee concerns. Freeman stated the team started prepping for Toney's potential return as early as Sunday.
The Irish coach stressed the importance of adaptability. "We'll see if he plays or not. If he doesn't, how we'll adjust, they've got great players," Freeman said. He acknowledged that Miami will find ways to get its best athletes on the field. The Irish defense must be ready to adjust to whatever alignment Miami presents on Saturday.
