There's no bigger reason for why the Miami football team has been a contender to win the national championship than explosive wide receiver Malachi Toney.

Throughout the season, the 19-year-old sophomore has been the best player on the No. 1 team in the country, one that also features a quarterback in Darian Mensah who's completed 80% of his passes, ranks in the top 10 nationally in passing yards and touchdowns, and has coupled that with just one interception. Toney is the reason all that has been possible, and there aren't a lot of college football fans who would argue that.

Which made it all the more gut-wrenching when the Heisman Trophy front-runner came down with an injury during practice the week leading up to the Hurricanes' mammoth matchup against Notre Dame. Reports said Toney suffered a high ankle sprain on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and that he would undergo surgery, putting not only the showdown with the No. 6 Fighting Irish out of the question, but the rest of his stellar season in jeopardy.

Toney's stats this year are astounding. Through eight games, he has already tied the program record with 13 receiving touchdowns this season, a number that puts him one behind Oregon State's Jesse Legree for the most in the nation. His 73 catches were one behind the nation's leader (FAU's Easton Messer) through nine weeks, and he is one of three players in the country with 1,000 yards this year (he ranks third with 1,027).

The Hurricanes' next four leading receivers — Cooper Barkate, Daylyn Upshaw, tight end Elija Lofton and Vandrevius Jacobs — have combined for 79 receptions for 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Here's the latest on Miami's injuries, who's expected to play and which absences could impact the game. When will Malachi Toney play next?

Is Malachi Toney playing?

No. Toney reportedly got rolled up by a cornerback during practice Wednesday, Nov. 4, leading to a high ankle sprain. Multiple reports indicated he would undergo surgery to repair the ankle.

Toney has battled injuries throughout the season, briefly leaving games against Wake Forest on Sept. 18, Clemson on Oct. 3, Florida State on Oct. 17 and Pittsburgh on Oct. 24. He never went back to the locker room, though his limited play late against Wake can be explicitly tied to the offense's stagnation and one of their closest games of the season. And he was able to shake off his injury vs. Pitt en route to breaking his own Miami record with 16 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

When will Malachi Toney return?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, high ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that attach the tibia to the fibula near the foot are torn or damaged. Recovery takes six to eight weeks, though the Clinic says it might take longer for athletes to return to play.

However, there is hope Toney can return sooner, with initial reports indicating he could return in time for the College Football Playoff. The first round of the CFP is Dec. 18-19, six weeks away. If Miami retains one of the top four spots in the final CFP rankings (they're No. 1 heading into today's game at Notre Dame), they would first play in the quarterfinals Dec. 30 or Jan. 1, in about eight weeks.

There's a chance Toney could return for the ACC championship game Dec. 5, four weeks from now. Former Notre Dame and current Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love suffered a high ankle sprain last week. Initial reports indicate he could return as soon as he comes off injured reserve for the minimum four weeks.

Who benefits if Malachi Toney is out vs Notre Dame?

Darian Mensah likely will opt to spread the ball around rather than pepper one target with Toney's looks between Daylyn Upshaw, Cooper Barkate and tight end Elija Lofton, with Vandrevius Jacobs becoming the main downfield threat and more screens to running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Javian Mallory.

If he does eye one target more than other, expect it to be Barkate. The two came over together from Duke, where the receiver had 72 catches for 1,106 yards and seven TDs last season as one of the most productive wideouts in the ACC. Barkate has 28 catches for 372 yards and four touchdowns, all second on the team far behind Toney.

Freshman Somourian Wingo could expect to see more snaps, as well. He has filled in for Toney on occasional punt returns and ran 12 routes two weeks ago against Pitt, according to Pro Football Focus. He has eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, which came in Week 2 against Florida A&M.