Brisbane Broncos Face Multiple Player Injuries After Round Seven Match

Brisbane Broncos Injury Update: Medical Assessments and Return Timelines

The Brisbane Broncos are navigating a significant injury crisis following their round-seven match against the Wests Tigers. Forwards Corey Jensen and Payne Haas, along with backs Kotoni Staggs and Jesse Arthars, are facing varied recovery timelines.

Prop Corey Jensen was admitted to a Brisbane hospital after flying home from the match, where scans initially suggested pneumonia but later revealed a pulmonary embolism—blood clots in the lung. Jensen spent nine days in hospital and lost 8-10 kg of body weight due to fluid drainage.

"It was a little bit worrying," said Broncos football boss Troy Thomson, adding that doctors are investigating whether Jensen is prone to such clots.

Jensen, 32, has played 153 NRL games. He also experienced a blood clot in his leg last season, which sidelined him for four weeks. Despite the scare, Jensen stated that retirement "hasn't crossed my mind" and that he is training to maintain strength and fitness. His stated goal is to return for the final rounds of the NRL season to aid the Broncos' potential finals push.

While on blood thinners for three months, he cannot participate in contact training. The Broncos club stated Jensen will be out for "several weeks," while 7News Queensland reported he is out "indefinitely."

Leading NRL physio Brien Seeney noted on social media that a clot in the leg can dislodge and travel to the lungs. He explained that treatment typically involves blood thinners, which can complicate a return to contact sports due to the risk of internal bleeding. Some athletes have reportedly been advised not to play contact sport for six months following a pulmonary embolism.

Prop Payne Haas sustained a grade-three medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during the Saturday night match. Scans indicate he is expected to be unavailable for approximately six to eight weeks.

Centre Kotoni Staggs played through the match with an injury and has since been diagnosed with a plantar fascia strain in his foot.

Fullback Jesse Arthars was diagnosed with a tear to the interosseous membrane in his leg.

The Brisbane Broncos have stated that the return-to-play timelines for Staggs and Arthars are currently unclear and are being determined with the club's medical staff.

A total of 13 players from the Brisbane Broncos are either ruled out of the upcoming match against Canterbury on Friday night or are in doubt to play.

• Hooker Cory Paix is set to return from a one-week absence due to concussion protocols.
• If Arthars is unavailable, Hayze Perham is a candidate to start at fullback.
• Prop Va'a Semu, who was named on the bench but did not play in the previous match, may make his NRL debut.
• 19-year-old centre Antonio Verhoeven is a potential replacement for Staggs if required.