In Santa Clara, California, Tashaun Gipson, the starting safety for the San Francisco 49ers in the last two seasons, has received a six-game suspension for breaching the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, as stated by a league representative.
The 49ers did not provide any formal statement as Gipson entered free agency in March. The NFL disclosed Gipson’s suspension in its Tuesday announcement of transactions, citing that he was “suspended by the Commissioner.”
Gipson, aged 33, can still be signed by a team and take part in preseason activities and games before serving his suspension once the 53-man rosters are finalized before the regular season. He was brought on board in the 2022 preseason to fill in for the injured Jimmie Ward.
Gipson was a regular starter for the past two seasons, except for the final game in January due to a quad injury before the 49ers’ recent playoff journey to Super Bowl LVIII. In the last postseason, Gipson made a significant impact for the 49ers by forcing a crucial fumble from Jahmyr Gibbs that was recovered by Arik Armstead at the Detroit 24-yard line.
This turnover led to Christian McCaffrey’s game-tying touchdown run during the NFC Championship Game comeback against the Lions. Gipson’s forced fumble occurred in the third quarter with 5 minutes remaining, right after Brandon Aiyuk caught a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, narrowing the Lions’ halftime lead of 24-7.
The 49ers are expected to have Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga as their starting safeties for the upcoming season. Hufanga is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear that occurred last November. Brown, who filled in admirably as a rookie to replace Hufanga, partnered with Gipson in the starting lineup. During the offseason program, while Hufanga focused on rehab, Brown and George Odum were the primary safeties.
Other safeties on the roster include rookie Malik Mustapha, Erik Harris, Tayler Hawkins, and Jaylen Mahoney. Before joining the 49ers, Gipson played for 10 seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Chicago Bears. Gipson’s performance in 2022, where he recorded five interceptions, earned him another one-year contract with the 49ers.
In the previous season, he managed one interception but also drew a questionable late-hit penalty that led to the Cleveland Browns’ winning drive in the 49ers’ first loss in Week 6.
The most recent 49er to face a suspension related to performance-enhancing drugs was long snapper Kyle Nelson, who received a 10-game suspension in 2018. Before that, in the same year, wide receiver Victor Bolden was suspended for four games for a PED violation.
