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

Glenn shared that Boyd, currently in the hospital, was “positive” during a recent discussion.

“What reassures me, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn said 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 might be released the hospital, where his condition is described as critical but stable.

“Not certain at the moment,” he added. “Yet I must mention, from our conversation, he felt really upbeat. And again, that reassures me, because of his outlook and his words reflect that optimism.”

Authorities issued surveillance images earlier this week of a man sought in the incident involving Boyd. The reason behind the incident is still being looked into and officials stated it remains uncertain if Boyd was targeted. No other injuries according to reports.

The incident occurred just after 2am on Sunday morning near the famous arena and the bustling tourist spot. Boyd, 29, was transported to a local hospital after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, police said. The perpetrator got away.

Glenn said Boyd has been on his mind “a great deal” since learning of the incident. Glenn added that Boyd and his spouse recently welcomed a child.

“What immediately crossed my mind, he just had a kid,” Glenn said. “I thought of his spouse, I’m thinking about his kid and I want to make sure that he’s OK. Those thoughts dominated my thinking.

“A certain process is underway, I’ll keep private, but I’m happy at the fact that his outcome looks very positive.”

Boyd was inactive this season, his first with the Jets, after his season was cut short due to injury on mid-August with a shoulder injury that involved surgical repair.

Boyd came to New York as an unrestricted free agent in March and was anticipated to become an important component of a revamped special teams unit under the coach and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. But Boyd was injured during a practice session on 2 August and was carted from the field.

Boyd has remained around the team throughout the season while healing from his surgery.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “Certainly, he attends every game. He’s fully engaged. As one of the league’s best on special teams, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”

Boyd, a Texas native, spent his initial four years with Minnesota after getting drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings out of the University of Texas in the 2019 draft. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and moved to Houston’s squad subsequently. Boyd inked a single-season agreement worth $1.6m with New York in March.