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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn revealed that he has been in contact with defensive back Kris Boyd and is confident the player will be OK after being shot in central New York early Sunday morning.

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

“That gives me comfort, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn commented. “His family, they are doing well and he will come through this without issue.”

The coach did not know when Boyd might be released the hospital, where his condition is described as in critical but steady condition.

“Not certain at the moment,” Glenn remarked. “But I will say this, hearing him speak, he felt really upbeat. Furthermore, that puts my mind at ease, that he feels like that and his words reflect that optimism.”

New York police issued video stills Monday of an individual wanted in the incident involving Boyd. A motive for the shooting remains under investigation and authorities said it is unknown if Boyd was singled out. There were no additional victims were reported.

The incident occurred in the early morning on Sunday near Madison Square Garden and the iconic square. Boyd, twenty-nine, was taken to Bellevue Hospital after sustaining an abdominal gunshot wound, according to authorities. The assailant escaped.

Glenn shared Boyd has occupied his thinking “a ton” since the news broke. Glenn added that Boyd and his wife are new parents to a baby.

“What immediately crossed my mind, he recently became a father,” Glenn remarked. “My mind went to his family, worrying about his newborn and I want to make sure that he’s OK. That was my main concern.

“There is a procedure involved, that I won’t detail, but I’m happy at the fact that he will recover excellently.”

Boyd did not participate during the current season, his debut year with New York, after his season was cut short due to injury on 18 August with a shoulder injury that involved surgical repair.

He joined the Jets as a free agent in March and was expected to be an important component 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 2 August and was taken away on a cart.

Boyd has remained around the team throughout the season while recovering from the shoulder injury.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn said. “Certainly, he attends every game. His commitment is total. Given his status as a special teams standout, he has excelled at supporting his teammates.”

Boyd, a Texas native, spent his initial four years with the Vikings after getting drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings out of UT in the 2019 draft. He joined Arizona in 2023 and then joined Houston’s practice squad after that. Boyd signed a one-year contract for $1.6 million with the Jets in March.