By David Lombardi, Matt Barrows and Alex Andrejev
The NFL suspended free-agent safety Tashaun Gipson six games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, a league source confirmed Tuesday. ESPN first reported the news.
Gipson, 33, spent the past two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and started in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, recording five tackles in the loss. He appeared in 16 regular-season games, compiling 60 tackles, one sack and one interception last season. In the postseason, he notched 14 tackles through three games.
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Before joining the 49ers in 2022 — a season in which he had 61 tackles and five interception through 17 games — Gipson played two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He also played for the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns during his 12-year NFL career.
He signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012 following his collegiate career at Wyoming.
What could this mean for Gipson’s potential return to SF?
Does Gipson, who will turn 34 next month, want to continue playing? That’s unclear, but 49ers general manager John Lynch said in the spring he’d remained in touch with Gipson. Back then, the 49ers were clearly interested in adding a veteran safety. They hosted then-free agents Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon. But both ended up signing elsewhere and the 49ers used a fourth-round draft pick on safety Malik Mustapha.
If they’re still looking for veteran depth at safety, perhaps this news makes Gipson a fit for the practice squad. Gipson’s suspension means he can’t sign with the expectation of starting — and the 49ers can retain a veteran leader. But that’s all theoretical and dependent on Gipson’s desire to return for at least another season. — David Lombardi, 49ers staff writer
How does 49ers’ safety room look?
The 49ers liked having a savvy, veteran safety on the roster and have shown interest in signing someone — including Gipson — who fits that description before the start of the season. As it stands now, the top two players at the position are second-year player Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum, who mainly has been a special teamer to this point in his career. Talanoa Hufanga, meanwhile, is making progress from his November ACL tear but may not be fully recovered by Week 1.
The other safeties on the roster are Mustapha, Erik Harris, Tayler Hawkins and undrafted rookie Jaylen Mahoney. Gipson would be eligible to practice with the team, if signed, but can’t appear in the first six games. — Matt Barrows, 49ers senior writer
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(Photo: Ryan Kang / Getty Images)