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Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has stated that he has been in contact with defensive back Kris Boyd and believes the athlete will be OK after being shot in midtown Manhattan early Sunday morning.

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

“That’s what eases my mind, is that he’s feeling positive,” Glenn said Wednesday. “His wife and his kid, they are doing well and he will come through this without issue.”

Glenn was unsure when Boyd would leave the hospital, where he has been listed as in critical but steady condition.

“Still unsure,” the coach said. “However, I can share, from our conversation, he felt really upbeat. Once more, that’s what gives me comfort, because of his outlook and he’s talking that way.”

Authorities released surveillance images earlier this week of an individual wanted in the shooting of Boyd. The reason behind the incident is still being looked into and authorities said it is unknown if Boyd was singled out. There were no additional victims as confirmed by officials.

The shooting happened in the early morning on Sunday in the area between Madison Square Garden and the bustling tourist spot. Boyd, twenty-nine, was taken to Bellevue Hospital after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, police said. The assailant escaped.

Glenn said Boyd has been in his thoughts “constantly” since the news broke. Glenn added that Boyd and his spouse recently welcomed a newborn.

“My initial concern, he recently became a father,” Glenn said. “My mind went to his family, worrying about his newborn and I want to make sure that he’s OK. Those thoughts dominated my thinking.

“There is a procedure involved, which I won’t get into, 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 his season was cut short due to injury on 18 August with an injury to his shoulder that needed an operation.

Boyd came to New York as a free agent in spring and was projected as an important component of a revamped special teams unit under Glenn and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. But Boyd was injured during preseason drills on 2 August and was taken away on a cart.

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

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “Certainly, he is a regular at our matches. His commitment is total. 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, a Texas native, began his career with Minnesota after his selection in the later rounds by the Vikings out of Texas University in 2019. He joined the Arizona Cardinals in last year and moved to Houston’s squad after that. Boyd signed a one-year contract for $1.6 million with New York in March.