Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn isn't entirely convinced that Miami's Malachi Toney will miss Saturday's game between the Hurricanes and Fighting Irish, even after it was ruled that the wideout would need surgery for a high ankle sprain.
Quinn believes the timing of the injury announcement and the lack of mandatory availability reporting for non-conference games leave open the possibility of a surprise.
Former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn is skeptical about Malachi Toney missing Saturday’s game. He says he could see a team pulling a stunt like this ahead of the game of the year. pic.twitter.com/4ntmLdrzVA
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) November 5, 2026
Brady Quinn and Marcus Freeman are still on edge about Toney's availability
During Thursday's edition of 2 Pros and a Cup of Joe on Fox Sports Radio, Quinn expressed skepticism about Toney's absence and suggested Miami could be attempting to gain a competitive advantage heading into one of its biggest games of the season.
"I'm still even skeptical," Quinn said. "Like this is one of those things in college football where until I don't see him on the field Saturday night, I will not believe it."
Quinn, who played quarterback at Notre Dame from 2003 through 2006, pointed to the timing of the announcement, which came Wednesday after Toney suffered the injury during practice. With most media opportunities already completed for the week, Quinn believes Miami could theoretically keep Notre Dame uncertain about the receiver's status until kickoff.
"At this juncture of the week, player availability for the media is done, so it's not even like you'll get him later on today or something as media availability after practice," Quinn said.
The ACC introduced mandatory availability reporting for conference games in 2025, requiring schools to disclose whether players are available, probable, questionable or out before kickoff. However, the policy does not require those reports for non-conference opponents.
There is a problem with Quinn's theory: Toney underwent surgery on Thursday.
But, interestingly enough, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is taking a similarly cautious approach to preparing for the matchup.
NEW: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman says the Irish will still prepare for Miami's Malachi Toney despite his injury:
— On3 (@On3) November 5, 2026
"We’ll see if he plays or not. We have to make sure we have a plan if he plays, if he doesn’t, we’ll adjust."
(via @PeteSampson_)https://t.co/oRmJQf5Nw5 https://t.co/ZT4vz2IFvO pic.twitter.com/B7eC55FTTd
"We'll see if he plays or not," Freeman said Thursday. "We have to make sure we have a plan if he plays, if he doesn't, we'll adjust."
Notre Dame appears unwilling to completely dismiss the possibility of facing Miami's leading receiver, even as the Hurricanes prepare to play without him. We'll see if it pays off for the Irish.
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