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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned that he has been in contact with defensive back Kris Boyd and believes the player will be OK after suffering a gunshot wound in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.

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

“What reassures me, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn commented. “His wife and his kid, they are doing well and he will walk away from this just fine.”

It remained unclear when Boyd could be discharged the hospital, where his condition is described as in critical but steady condition.

“Don’t know just yet,” Glenn remarked. “But I will say this, hearing him speak, he felt really upbeat. Furthermore, that puts my mind at ease, because of his outlook and he’s talking that way.”

Authorities released video stills earlier this week of a man sought in the attack on the player. The reason behind the incident is currently under review and authorities said it is unknown if Boyd was singled out. There were no additional victims as confirmed by officials.

The shooting happened around 2 a.m. on Sunday in the area between Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Boyd, 29, was admitted to a local hospital after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, police said. The assailant escaped.

Glenn mentioned Boyd has been on his mind “a great deal” since the news broke. The coach said that Boyd and his spouse recently welcomed a baby.

“My initial concern, he just had a kid,” Glenn said. “My mind went to his family, considering his child and my priority is his well-being. That was my main concern.

“There’s a process to this, I’ll keep private, but I am pleased that he will recover excellently.”

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

Boyd came to New York as a new signing in March and was anticipated to become a significant contributor of a revamped special teams unit under the coach and special teams coordinator the special teams coach. However, he got hurt during preseason drills on August 2 and had to be helped off.

Boyd has stayed involved with the squad during the entire campaign while working his way back.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “I mean, he is a regular at our matches. His commitment is total. Given his status as a special teams standout, he has been instrumental in guiding others.”

Boyd, from Texas, played his first four seasons with the Vikings after being a seventh-round pick by the Vikings out of Texas University in the 2019 draft. He later played for the Arizona Cardinals in last year and then joined Houston’s practice squad later that season. Boyd inked a single-season agreement valued at $1.6 million with the Jets in March.