Tashaun Gipson suspended for six games, source says: What could this mean for the 49ers?

By David Lombardi, Matt Barrows and Alex Andrejev

The NFL has suspended free-agent safety Tashaun Gipson for six games for violating the league’s doping policy, a league source confirmed Tuesday. ESPN first reported the news.

Gipson, 33, played the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and started in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he recorded five tackles. He appeared in 16 regular-season games and recorded 60 tackles, one sack and one interception last season. He recorded 14 tackles in three games in the postseason.

Before joining the 49ers in 2022 – a season in which he recorded 61 tackles and five interceptions in 17 games – Gipson played two seasons with the Chicago Bears. During his 12-year NFL career, he also played for the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.

After his college career in Wyoming, he signed with the Browns as a non-drafted free agent in 2012.

What could this mean for Gipson’s possible return to SF?

Does Gipson, who turns 34 next month, want to keep playing? That’s unclear, but 49ers general manager John Lynch said this spring that he had stayed in touch with Gipson. At the time, the 49ers were clearly interested in signing a veteran safety. They received then-free agents Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon. But both eventually signed elsewhere and the 49ers used a fourth-round draft pick on safety Malik Mustapha.

If they’re still looking for experienced backups at the safety position, perhaps this news makes Gipson a viable candidate for the practice squad. Gipson’s suspension means he can’t sign with the expectation of being a starter — and the 49ers can keep a veteran leader. But that’s all theory and depends on Gipson’s desire to return for at least one more season. — David Lombardi, editor at the 49ers

What does the 49ers safety room look like?

The 49ers were happy to have a veteran safety on the roster and have shown interest in signing someone who fits that description before the season begins — including Gipson. Currently, the two best players at the position are second-year player Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum, who has been primarily 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 cannot play in the first six games. — Matt Barrows, 49ers senior editor