Tashaun Gipson played and started 16 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season.
He will play for six fewer games this 2024 season. Or none at all.
The National Football League has announced that it suspended the veteran safety for six games in the coming season for violating the league's rules on performance-enhancing drugs.
The league did not release any further details, but the news of his suspension was reflected in the league's daily transactions report.
Gipson was instrumental in the 49er's run to the Super Bowl before losing to champions Kansas City Chiefs.
Read more: Texas Tech Lands Uniform Deal With Adidas With the Help of Alum Patrick Mahomes
He was initially acquired by the Bay Area football team in 2022 to add extra depth to the squad. He eventually took over as a starting team safety.
The 34-year-old safety made 60 tackles with a sack and an interception last season. That is as close to his 61 tackles and five interceptions during his first year with the team.
Gipson went undrafted in 2012 but worked his way to a roster spot with the Cleveland Browns, where he spent four seasons. He earned the Pro Bowl in 2014.
From there, he transferred to the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving on to the Houston Texans and played one season with the Chicago Bears.
He had a career revival with the 49ers, but that seems over now.
Gipson is yet to comment on the suspension.
Tashaun Gipson-49ers break up soon?
Gipson is a free agent and could sign with any team.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch previously expressed a desire to keep Gipson for another season after the team failed another attempt to win the Super Bowl in February.
However, he acknowledged that he needed to reinforce the safety position.
"Tashaun Gipson is a guy that we've always kept in touch with and will continue to. Do we want to add? We'll see," Lynch said in March of this year.
"There may be one or two more moves. We brought some guys in who are still out there. The safety market took a beating because a bunch of them got cut. That's why some really good players were out there. You'd be foolish not to take a look."
Gipson will turn 35 on August 7, and many expect him to settle with the 49ers. That's what Lynch was expecting, too.
"We love Gipson and I think Gipson loves our place. I won't speak for him, but we've had good discussions. We'll see. He's at that age where it's a year-to-year thing. I know that he's still playing at a high level. I haven't seem drop off from him. He's a great guy to have in the room, a great leader, a great part of who we are."
However, given his situation, the 49ers will likely have no choice but to sign another player or relegate him to the depth chart.
Keeping Gipson is a safe choice
The 49ers recently held a safety workout featuring Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon, as they expressed intent to have a veteran in that position this season. However, those two ended up going elsewhere.
Ji'Ayir Brown and George Odum are still signed with the team, but the latter is far from making the first team. Talanoa Hufanga, meanwhile, won't be fully available by the opening week.
If the 49ers can wait, they should sign Gipson, who is undoubtedly their most productive player at that position.
Brown needs to step up at the moment, or they can take a chance on Erik Harris, Tayler Hawkins, and undrafted rookie Jaylen Mahoney.
Related article: Aaron Rodgers Missed Jets' Mandatory Minicamp Due to Unexcused Reason
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
