New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd was shot in Manhattan early on Sunday morning and is in a critical but stable condition.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said emergency responders transported a 29-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the abdomen to Bellevue Hospital in "critical but stable" condition, declining to identify the victim by name.
The police spokesperson said there have been no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Jets said in a statement: "We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time."
In a statement to SportNews News, a NFL spokesperson said: "We have been in contact with the club but will decline further comment."
The Minnesota Vikings selected Boyd in the 2019 draft and he has also played for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. He was regarded as a special teams standout during his first six NFL seasons, including most of the last two with Houston.
In March, he signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets and was expected to be a key part of a revamped special teams unit under new coach Aaron Glenn. But Boyd was hurt during training camp in August and placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Jets team-mates asked for prayers for Boyd in social media posts on Sunday afternoon.
"Everybody please send prayers to my brother and teammate Kris Boyd and his family! Lord please hold your healing hand over Kris and guide him back to health and safety," linebacker Jermaine Johnson said in a post.
"Lord, place your mighty hand on him as he fights lord God. Guide every doctor, nurse, and surgeon who touches him lord," defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said in a post. "Give his family strength! Kris is a fighter and we're all here for him."
