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New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned 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 described that Boyd, currently in the hospital, was “upbeat” during their latest talk.

“What reassures me, is that he’s feeling positive,” Glenn commented. “His family, they are doing well and he will walk away from this just fine.”

Glenn was unsure when Boyd could be discharged the hospital, where he is reported as critical but stable.

“Don’t know just yet,” he added. “But I will say this, from our conversation, his attitude was encouraging. Once more, that puts my mind at ease, that he feels like that and he’s talking that way.”

Authorities shared surveillance images earlier this week of a suspect in the attack on the player. What prompted the attack remains under investigation and officials stated it’s not clear if Boyd was targeted. There were no additional victims were reported.

The attack took place in the early morning on Sunday in the area between Madison Square Garden and Times Square. Boyd, in his late twenties, was transported to a local hospital after suffering a wound to the stomach, according to authorities. The perpetrator got away.

Glenn said Boyd has been in his thoughts “constantly” since he heard about the shooting. Glenn added that Boyd and his wife recently welcomed a baby.

“My initial concern, he recently became a father,” Glenn remarked. “I thought of his spouse, considering his child and I want to make sure that he’s OK. That was my main concern.

“There is a procedure involved, which I won’t get into, but I am pleased that he’s going to come out of this thing really, really well.”

Boyd was inactive during the current season, after joining the team, after going on the season-ending injured reserve list on 18 August with a shoulder injury that needed an operation.

He joined the Jets as a free agent in spring and was projected as a key part of the team’s updated special teams under Glenn and ST coordinator the special teams coach. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during a practice session on August 2 and was carted from the field.

Boyd continued to be present throughout the season while recovering from the shoulder injury.

“He remains involved with our activities,” Glenn commented. “In fact, he is a regular at our matches. He’s fully engaged. As one of the league’s best on special teams, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”

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