EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Like many young professionals, Jalin Hyatt is using his college experiences to help him adapt in his first job.

That job just happens to be in the high-profile NFL, as a wide receiver with the Giants.

Hyatt, a second-year pro, played just 28 snaps in the team's first two games, vs. Minnesota and Washington. Against the Commanders last week, it was 12 snaps. Hyatt has no receptions and was targeted just once – and he dropped that Daniel Jones pass late in the loss to the Vikings.

Yes, he'd like to play more and is eager to contribute to the team. But he's not one to complain and he believes his opportunities will come. They did when he was last in a similar situation.

In his first two seasons (2020-21) at the University of Tennessee, Hyatt started two games and caught 41 passes, about 2.4 a game. He scored four touchdowns.

His final season was much more productive. Hyatt started all 12 regular-season games and recorded 67 receptions for 1,267 yards (18.9-yard avg.), a school-record 15 touchdowns (five against Alabama) and 105.6 yards a game. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver and became Tennessee's 13th unanimous first-team All-American and the first wide receiver in program history to achieve that feat.

Hyatt learned that patience is indeed an asset.

"My freshman year, my sophomore year, I didn't do anything at Tennessee," Hyatt said. "I think both years I had 300 yards (actually, 276 and 226). My sophomore year, Velus Jones started ahead of me. He started that whole year. I took that as motivation to keep getting better. And then that third year is when I kind of exploded. I went for a thousand yards, 15 touchdowns.

"That experience definitely helps me now. I use that here now and any time I go through any adversity. It's the nature of the game – you're not getting the catches or the yards you want in your freshman year, your second year. I've been through it before, and I got through it. You just have to move on."

The Giants traded up in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft to select Hyatt No. 73 overall. As a rookie, Hyatt played in all 17 games with seven starts and caught 23 passes for 373 yards (16.2-yard avg.) with a long of 58. His 16.2 yards-per-reception led the team, ranked fourth among all rookies in 2023 (min. 10 catches) and were the most by a Giants rookie since Hakeem Nicks averaged 16.8 yards in 2009.

Hyatt did not score a touchdown, one reason he was determined to make a more significant impact this season.

But he has thus far been the odd man out among the Giants' top four wide receivers. Rookie first-round draft choice Malik Nabers is a budding star, with 15 catches for 193 yards and one touchdown. Wan'Dale Robinson has eight catches for 62 yards and a score. Steady veteran Darius Slayton has gained 59 yards on six receptions. They have played 121, 83 and 100 snaps, respectively.

Coach Brian Daboll has already fielded several questions about Hyatt's relative inactivity.

"He has his role in personnel. Slayton, Nabers, and Wan'Dale - I've covered this. They're the starters in half personnel. He (Hyatt) has a role. When his number's called, he'll be ready to go. He's in good spirits. Jalin and I and the receivers talk every day. We meet a lot. I have a lot of confidence in Jalin. Jalin knows that. When he has a chance to make a play, he'll go out there and make a play."

Today he was asked about Hyatt again, this time in the context of whether the Giants can use his explosiveness.

"I think we have four explosive guys," Daboll said. "I think Wan'Dale is explosive. Nabers is explosive. Slayton is explosive. Hyatt is explosive. Again, they all have roles. Those other guys play a little bit more than Jalin. But when Jalin has his opportunity, I certainly have a lot of confidence in him."

Hyatt is still bothered that he didn't secure the one pass thrown to him this season, on a first down in the fourth quarter against Minnesota.

"I blame myself on that one," he said. "That was the opportunity that I didn't come down with."

Hyatt is confident he will the next time he has a chance.

"I love football," he said. "I'm a competitor and obviously I want to be out there with my guys. But some things I can't control. The big thing is staying ready, being ready whenever your number is called. I know my chances will come and I have to take advantage of them. The only way you can get to where you want to be is to take advantage of your opportunities that come to you. That's what I'm focused on.

"There's no pouting. This is the NFL. I got to continue to keep getting better. I'm a professional. This is my job. Whenever that chance comes, I will be ready. Trust me."

*For the second consecutive Friday, one of the Giants' star players was added to the injury report, this time with a game status. Outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin) was limited in practice and is listed as questionable for the game Sunday in Cleveland.

A week ago, wide receiver Malik Nabers was placed on the injury report with a knee. But he practiced fully, and no game status was designated, indicating the Giants were certain he would play. Nabers scored his first NFL touchdown while catching 10 passes for 127 yards.

Defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (abdomen) was also added to the injury report. He was limited in practice, as was outside backer Kayvon Thibodeaux (shoulder).

Rookie inside linebacker Darius Muasau is questionable with a knee injury. He did not play last week.

Linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons, who missed practice the previous two days for personal reasons, worked fully, as did tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (neck).

Cornerback Nick McCloud (knee) has been declared out for the second straight week.

Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will also miss his second game in a row because of the fractured leg he suffered on the sideline in the season opener. Bullen underwent surgery, did not go to Washington, and will not accompany the team to Cleveland. His role on the sideline will be assumed by defensive assistant Ben Burress.