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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn has stated that he recently spoke with defensive back Kris Boyd and feels certain the athlete will be OK after suffering a gunshot wound in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.

Glenn noted that Boyd, who is hospitalized, was “positive” during their recent conversation.

“That gives me comfort, is that he’s in good spirits,” Glenn commented. “His wife and his kid, they are holding up and he is expected to recover fully.”

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

“Not certain at the moment,” the coach said. “But I will say this, hearing him speak, he seemed very positive. And again, that’s what gives me comfort, because of his outlook and his words reflect that optimism.”

New York police released surveillance images Monday of a suspect in the shooting of Boyd. What prompted the attack is still being looked into and authorities said it’s not clear if Boyd was the intended victim. There were no additional victims according to reports.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday near Madison Square Garden and the bustling tourist spot. Boyd, in his late twenties, was transported to a medical center after suffering a wound to the stomach, police said. The shooter fled the scene.

Glenn said Boyd has been on his mind “a great deal” since learning of the incident. He further stated that Boyd and his wife are new parents to a newborn.

“The first thing I thought about, he has a new baby,” Glenn said. “My mind went to his family, considering his child and my priority is his well-being. And that’s the only thing that really went through my mind.

“A certain process is underway, which I won’t get into, but It is reassuring that his outcome looks very positive.”

Boyd hasn’t played this season, his first with the Jets, after his season was cut short due to injury on mid-August with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Boyd came to New York as an unrestricted free agent in spring and was expected to be an important component of the team’s updated special teams under the coach and ST coordinator the special teams coach. However, he got hurt during a practice session on 2 August and was carted from the field.

Boyd has stayed involved with the squad throughout the season while recovering from the shoulder injury.

“He remains involved with our activities,” Glenn stated. “In fact, he is a regular at our matches. He’s fully engaged. To be one of the top special teams players in this league, he has been instrumental in guiding others.”

Boyd, from Texas, played his first four seasons with Minnesota after being a seventh-round pick by the Vikings out of Texas University in 2019. He joined the Arizona Cardinals in last year and later was with the Texans subsequently. Boyd signed a one-year contract valued at $1.6 million with the Jets in March.