A brand new addition to the New York Jets went down with a scary injury during training camp practice on Saturday, August 2.
“ST ace Kris Boyd just went down during ST drills and was writhing in pain on the sideline. Being checked out – looking at left arm. They’re taking him inside by cart now,” Dennis Waszak Jr of the Associated Press posted on social media.
They’re taking him inside by cart now. #Jets
Connor Long of Jets X-Factor described Boyd being in “visible pain” as he was being carted off the field.
“Special teamer Kris Boyd, in obvious pain, is carted off the field. He was strapped to the cart on the back,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini revealed.
Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn Provides Update on Boyd
“When it comes to the injuries today, X [Xavier Gipson] has a shoulder. Boyd has a shoulder. Jaylin Simpson has a hamstring. I will know more as I go in and those guys get checked out,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn explained.
Boyd, 28, entered the league as the No. 217 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL draft. The Jets are the fourth NFL team Boyd has suited up for during his career.
He joined the team this offseason on a one-year $1.6 million contract.
Boyd Is an Important Piece to the Jets Roster
The former Texas product is listed as a defensive back on the roster sheet. However, his real contributions to the team will be as a special teams contributor.
Across his six years in the NFL, Boyd has played in 687 defensive snaps. However, during that same period, Boyd has played in 1,532 special teams snaps.
“The Jets signed [Boyd] to a deal greater than the minimum ($1.6 million) because they value his skills as a gunner on special teams. He’s especially important with Irv Charles working his way back from a torn ACL,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic explained.
Rosenblatt said it is “likely” that Charles will start the season on the PUP list, coming off ACL surgery. That means he would be forced to miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season.
“He’s a valuable piece on special teams when healthy,” Rosenblatt added.
Injury Opens up Opportunity for Someone Else on the Roster to Step Up
The severity of Boyd’s injury is unclear at the time of this article.
“Jets already have Charles recovering from an ACL; Boyd is a successful special teams ace who has a good chance to make the team if healthy. Big blow if he’s out for a significant time, but would open huge opportunities for fringe players to make a name for themselves on specials,” Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor explained on X previously Twitter.
Jets New Free Agent Addition Carted off Field: ‘Writhing in Pain’