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Jets head coach Aaron Glenn revealed that he recently spoke with defensive back Kris Boyd and is confident the athlete will be OK after being shot in midtown Manhattan in the early hours of Sunday.

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

“That’s what eases my mind, is that he’s in good spirits,” Glenn stated on Wednesday. “His wife and child, they’re in good spirits and he is expected to recover fully.”

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

“Not certain at the moment,” Glenn remarked. “But I will say this, just talking to him, his attitude was encouraging. Furthermore, that reassures me, that he feels like that and he expresses himself so positively.”

Authorities released security footage Monday of a man sought in the shooting of Boyd. The reason behind the incident is still being looked into and police mentioned it is unknown if Boyd was the intended victim. No other injuries as confirmed by officials.

The attack took place just after 2am on Sunday in the area between Madison Square Garden and the iconic square. Boyd, in his late twenties, was admitted to Bellevue Hospital after suffering a wound to the stomach, police said. The shooter fled the scene.

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

“My initial concern, he has a new baby,” Glenn said. “And I’m thinking about his wife, I’m thinking about his kid and I want to make sure that he’s OK. That was my main concern.

“There’s a process to this, I’ll keep private, but I am pleased that he’s going to come out of this thing really, really well.”

Boyd hasn’t played this season, his first with the Jets, after his season was cut short due to injury on 18 August with an injury to his shoulder that required surgery.

He signed with New York as an unrestricted free agent in March and was anticipated to become a key part of an improved special teams group under the coach and special teams coordinator the special teams coach. But Boyd was injured during a practice session on early August and was carted from the field.

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

“He’s been a part of what we’re doing,” Glenn commented. “Certainly, he is a regular at our matches. His commitment is total. To be one of the top special teams players in this league, he’s done a really good job of helping the other guys we have.”

Boyd, a Texas native, began his career with Minnesota after getting drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings out of UT in 2019. He later played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023 and then joined Houston’s practice squad subsequently. Boyd agreed to a one-year deal valued at $1.6 million with the Jets in the spring.