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

Glenn shared that Boyd, who is hospitalized, was “in good spirits” during a recent discussion.

“What reassures me, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His wife and child, they are doing well and he will come through this without issue.”

Glenn was unsure when Boyd would leave the medical facility, where he is reported as in critical but steady condition.

“Don’t know just yet,” the coach said. “However, I can share, just talking to him, he felt really upbeat. Furthermore, that puts my mind at ease, that he feels like that and he expresses himself so positively.”

NYPD issued security footage earlier this week of an individual wanted in the shooting of Boyd. What prompted the attack is currently under review and authorities said it remains uncertain if Boyd was targeted. No other injuries were reported.

The attack took place just after 2am on Sunday near the famous arena and the bustling tourist spot. Boyd, twenty-nine, was admitted to Bellevue Hospital after suffering a wound to the stomach, according to authorities. The assailant escaped.

Glenn mentioned Boyd has occupied his thinking “constantly” since the news broke. The coach said that Boyd and his wife recently welcomed a child.

“The first thing I thought about, he recently became a father,” Glenn noted. “And I’m thinking about his wife, I’m thinking about his kid and my priority is his well-being. Those thoughts dominated my thinking.

“There’s a process to this, which I won’t get into, but It is reassuring that his outcome looks very positive.”

Boyd hasn’t played in the present campaign, his first with the Jets, after going on the season-ending injured reserve list on 18 August with a shoulder issue that needed an operation.

Boyd came to New York as a free agent in March and was expected to be a key part of a revamped special teams unit under Glenn and special teams coordinator the special teams coach. But Boyd was injured during a practice session on early August and had to be helped off.

Boyd has remained around the team during the entire campaign while healing from his surgery.

“He has stayed engaged with the team,” Glenn commented. “Certainly, he is a regular at our matches. His commitment is total. Given his status as a special teams standout, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”

Boyd, a Texas native, began his career with Minnesota after being a seventh-round pick by the Vikings out of Texas University in the 2019 draft. He signed with Arizona in last year and moved to Houston’s squad subsequently. Boyd inked a single-season agreement worth $1.6m with the Jets in the spring.