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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 recover well after being shot in central New York in the early hours of Sunday.

Glenn shared that Boyd, currently in the hospital, was “in good spirits” during a recent discussion.

“That gives me comfort, is that his mood is upbeat,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His family, they are doing well and he will walk away from this just fine.”

It remained unclear when Boyd could be discharged the medical facility, where he has been listed as in critical but steady condition.

“Don’t know just yet,” the coach said. “But I will say this, just talking to him, he seemed very positive. Furthermore, that reassures me, because of his outlook and he expresses himself so positively.”

Authorities released video stills earlier this week of a man sought in the shooting of Boyd. A motive for the shooting is still being looked into and officials stated it’s not clear if Boyd was targeted. There were no additional victims as confirmed by officials.

The attack took place just after 2am on Sunday morning near the famous arena and the iconic square. Boyd, 29, was taken to a local hospital after being shot in the abdomen, according to authorities. The shooter fled the scene.

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

“My initial concern, he just had a kid,” Glenn said. “And I’m thinking about his wife, worrying about his newborn and I hope he recovers fully. And that’s the only thing that really went through my mind.

“There is a procedure involved, I’ll keep private, but It is reassuring that he will recover excellently.”

Boyd did not participate in the present campaign, his debut year with New York, after his season was cut short due to injury on 18 August with a shoulder issue that needed an operation.

He signed with New York as an unrestricted free agent in spring and was expected to be a key part 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 early August and had to be helped off.

Boyd continued to be present during the entire campaign while healing from his surgery.

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” 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, spent his initial four years with the Vikings after being a seventh-round pick by the Vikings out of UT in 2019. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and moved to Houston’s squad after that. Boyd agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.6m with New York in the spring.