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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned that he has been in contact with defensive back Kris Boyd and is confident the athlete will be OK after being shot in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.

Glenn noted that Boyd, currently in the hospital, was “in good spirits” during a recent discussion.

“What reassures me, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn said Wednesday. “His wife and his kid, they are holding up and he will walk away from this just fine.”

The coach did not know when Boyd would leave the hospital, where his condition is described as critical but stable.

“Don’t know just yet,” he added. “But I will say this, from our conversation, he felt really upbeat. And again, that puts my mind at ease, because of his outlook and he’s talking that way.”

NYPD issued security footage Monday of a man sought in the incident involving Boyd. The reason behind the incident is still being looked into and authorities said it remains uncertain if Boyd was targeted. No other injuries as confirmed by officials.

The shooting happened just after 2am on Sunday morning near the famous arena and Times Square. Boyd, in his late twenties, was transported to Bellevue Hospital after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, as reported. The assailant escaped.

Glenn mentioned Boyd has been on his mind “constantly” since the news broke. The coach said that Boyd and his wife are new parents to a baby.

“My initial concern, he just had a kid,” Glenn said. “I thought of his spouse, considering his child and my priority is his well-being. Those thoughts dominated my thinking.

“There is a procedure involved, I’ll keep private, but It is reassuring that he’s going to come out of this thing really, really well.”

Boyd did not participate in the present campaign, his first with the Jets, after going on the season-ending injured reserve list on August 18 with an injury to his shoulder that needed an operation.

Boyd came to New York as a free agent in spring and was anticipated to become a significant contributor of an improved special teams group under Glenn and ST coordinator the special teams coach. However, he got hurt during preseason drills on August 2 and was carted from the field.

Boyd has stayed involved with the squad all season long while working his way back.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn stated. “In fact, he comes to the games all the time. He is completely involved. To be one of the top special teams players in this league, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”

Boyd, from Texas, began his career with the Vikings after his selection in the later rounds by Minnesota out of UT in the 2019 draft. He later played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and later was with the Texans subsequently. Boyd inked a single-season agreement worth $1.6m with the Jets in March.