Inside Brisbane Broncos star Corey Jensen’s life-or-death well being battle that might price him his profession

There are fears Corey Jensen may never play rugby league again, after it was revealed the Brisbane Broncos forward could have died after suffering a blood clot on his lung.

Jensen has been treated in hospital for the last two weeks and has lost 10kg after suffering the life-changing episode soon after his team’s win over the Tigers on April 18.

Jensen has had about one litre of fluid drained from his lungs just nine months after suffering a blood clot in his calf, according to News Corp.

The condition the 32-year-old suffered is also called a pulmonary embolism, which is a sudden blockage in one or more of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs.

Jensen has since been placed on blood thinners, and although he hopes to be ready to take to the field by round 21, there are fears he may never play again.

‘There’s no timeline on it (Jensen’s recovery), but I know he’s very keen to keep playing,’ Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.

Corey Jensen (pictured with wife Shannen) is in the middle of a health battle which could cost him his career

Jensen (pictured) has suffered a pulmonary embolism and has lost 10kg as a result of the medical drama

Jensen (pictured carrying the ball this month) also suffered a blood clot in his leg nine months ago

‘Whilst that’s burning then, we’ll do everything we can to try and work out how we get him back out on the field when the time’s right,’ Maguire added.

Jensen’s teammate Jack Gosiewski said the episode has left a mark on the Broncos squad. 

‘He was apparently lucky to make it through that game with nothing seriously bad happening to him,’ Gosiewski said. 

‘He is down to 97kg. He has lost a fair bit of weight and they drained a lot of fluid out of his lungs.’ 

Jensen returned to Broncos training on Tuesday, with his teammates left stunned at his physical appearance.

Coach Maguire has opened up about the tough situation for the club.

‘It’s one of those medical issues where they’ve got to really get all the information and try and work out where it came from, so then they can understand it,’ he said.

‘He’s seeing the very best specialists and doctors, and he’s had some really good care inside the hospital.

‘He said to me (on Tuesday) that he’s just so happy that he was at the hospital because the way they looked after him was exceptional.’

Jensen has played 153 NRL games, across two clubs.

He was also a part of the Broncos’ premiership-winning team in 2025.