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Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has stated that he recently spoke with defensive back Kris Boyd and is confident the athlete will be OK after suffering a gunshot wound in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.

Glenn noted that Boyd, currently in the hospital, was “upbeat” during their recent conversation.

“That’s what eases my mind, is that he’s in good spirits,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His wife and his kid, they’re in good spirits and he will walk away from this just fine.”

The coach did not know when Boyd could be discharged the hospital, where he is reported as critical but stable.

“Still unsure,” he added. “But I will say this, just talking to him, he seemed very positive. And again, that’s what gives me comfort, because of his outlook and he’s talking that way.”

New York police issued surveillance images earlier this week of a suspect in the incident involving Boyd. A motive for the shooting is still being looked into and officials stated it is unknown if Boyd was singled out. No other injuries according to reports.

The attack took place around 2 a.m. on Sunday in the area between Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Boyd, 29, was transported to a medical center after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, according to authorities. The shooter fled the scene.

Glenn shared Boyd has occupied his thinking “a ton” since learning of the incident. Glenn added that Boyd and his spouse are new parents to a child.

“The first thing I thought about, he has a new baby,” Glenn remarked. “I thought of his spouse, considering his child and my priority is his well-being. And that’s the only thing that really went through my mind.

“A certain process is underway, I’ll keep private, but I am pleased that he’s going to come out of this thing really, really well.”

Boyd was inactive this season, his debut year with New York, after being placed on injured reserve on 18 August with a shoulder injury that needed an operation.

He signed with New York as a new signing in spring and was anticipated to become a significant contributor of the team’s updated special teams under the coach and ST coordinator the special teams coach. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during preseason drills on early August and was carted from the field.

Boyd continued to be present throughout the season while healing from his surgery.

“He has stayed engaged with the team,” Glenn said. “I mean, 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 has been instrumental in guiding others.”

Boyd, from Texas, spent his initial four years with Minnesota after his selection in the later rounds by the Vikings out of Texas University in 2019. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in last year and moved to Houston’s squad later that season. Boyd signed a one-year contract worth $1.6m with New York in March.