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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned that he recently spoke with defensive back Kris Boyd and feels certain the athlete will be OK after being shot in midtown Manhattan in the early hours of Sunday.

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

“That’s what eases my mind, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His family, they are holding up and he is expected to recover fully.”

The coach did not know when Boyd could be discharged the hospital, where he has been listed as serious yet stable.

“Not certain at the moment,” the coach said. “But I will say this, hearing him speak, his attitude was encouraging. Once more, that reassures me, because of his outlook and he’s talking that way.”

New York police shared surveillance images Monday of an individual wanted in the incident involving Boyd. The reason behind the incident remains under investigation and officials stated it is unknown if Boyd was the intended victim. No other injuries according to reports.

The attack took place just after 2am on Sunday about halfway between MSG and the bustling tourist spot. Boyd, in his late twenties, was admitted to a local hospital after suffering a wound to the stomach, as reported. The perpetrator got away.

Glenn said Boyd has occupied his thinking “a ton” since learning of the incident. He further stated that Boyd and his wife recently welcomed a newborn.

“My initial concern, he recently became a father,” Glenn said. “I thought of his spouse, worrying about his newborn and my priority is his well-being. And that’s the only thing that really went through my mind.

“There’s a process to this, I’ll keep private, but I’m happy at the fact that he’s going to come out of this thing really, really well.”

Boyd hasn’t played in the present campaign, after joining the team, after his season was cut short due to injury on August 18 with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Boyd came to New York as a free agent in spring and was expected to be a significant contributor of a revamped special teams unit under the coach and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. However, he got hurt during a practice session on 2 August and was taken away on a cart.

Boyd continued to be present during the entire campaign while recovering from the shoulder injury.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn stated. “I mean, he comes to the games all the time. His commitment is total. As one of the league’s best on special teams, he has been instrumental in guiding others.”

Boyd, a Texas native, played his first four seasons with Minnesota after getting drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings out of the University of Texas in the 2019 draft. He joined Arizona in last year and later was with the Texans later that season. Boyd inked a single-season agreement worth $1.6m with New York in March.