Brisbane Broncos chief medical officer Matt Hislop has revealed significant concerns regarding the ongoing health battle of prop Corey Jensen, who is facing a career-uncertain future due to recurrent, life-threatening blood clots. Jensen was hospitalized earlier this year and lost 10 kilograms after developing a potentially deadly clot on his lung in April, an incident that followed a separate blood clot in his calf approximately nine months prior.
Unexplained Recurrence
Hislop described both incidents as unprovoked, meaning no obvious precipitating event, such as long-haul travel or injury, was identified. The 32-year-old Jensen is currently undergoing investigations for possible underlying causes and will require repeat blood tests in approximately three weeks to determine if an autoimmune issue is present. "The future is uncertain for Corey," Hislop stated. "If the upcoming blood test is positive, it will likely mean he needs to stay on warfarin for the rest of his life. If it is negative, it still means we do not know the reason for his recurrent development of blood clots."
Treatment and Impact on Career
As a result of his condition, Jensen has been prescribed the blood-thinning medication warfarin, which he will need to take for a minimum of six months. The medication is administered via oral tablets to treat the ongoing clots. However, this treatment prohibits Jensen from participating in football matches or any contact training due to the risk of increased bleeding and heavy bruising. Jensen's season has concluded as a consequence of this medical necessity. He has played 153 NRL matches and was part of the Broncos' grand final team last year.
Jensen is not the only player facing a challenging recovery. Melbourne Storm's Eli Katoa is also dealing with a significant health issue that puts his return to football in doubt. Katoa is recovering from bleeding on the brain, an injury sustained during a Test match for Tonga against New Zealand after multiple head knocks. The 26-year-old, considered a rising star, is consulting with specialists and neurosurgeons to assess his ability to resume contact training. The Storm have confirmed he will not play again this season, leaving his future in the sport uncertain. Katoa is a two-time Dally M Second-Rower of the Year.