Ex-49ers S Tashaun Gipson Suspended Six Games For PED Violation

Former San Francisco 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson, who is now a free agent, has been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug (PED) policy, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Tashaun Gipson posted 60 tackles, a sack, and an interception with the San Francisco 49ers last season

Gipson, who turns 34 on Aug. 7, went undrafted in 2012 out of the University of Wyoming. At Wyoming in 2011, he had 95 total tackles (73 solo, 22 assist), 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and three interceptions.

The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Gipson has played for five NFL teams: Cleveland Browns (2012-2015), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-2018), Houston Texans (2019), Chicago Bears (2020-2021), and 49ers (2022-2023).

The Niners signed Gipson for extra depth prior to the 2022 season. Following a successful season with the 49ers as the starter at free safety, he was brought back on a one-year, $2.9 million deal.

In 2023, Gipson started 16 games and recorded 60 tackles with a sack and an interception. He also had five of his 14 postseason tackles in the Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gipson drew a late-hit penalty on the Cleveland Browns' game-winning drive

Last season, he drew a questionable late-hit penalty that set up the Browns’ winning drive in the 49ers’ first loss in Week 6.

On 3rd and 10, then-Browns quarterback P.J. Walker's throw for wide receiver Elijah Moore was high. However, Gipson was called for the personal foul for leading with his helmet.

“My view was his intent wasn't at all to do that,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It looked like the receiver was coming in there, jumping, too. It looked like they touched helmets from where I was. And it didn't look that violent.”

The loss proved to be inconsequential, as the 49ers still went on to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Gipson has 684 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 33 interceptions, and three defensive touchdowns in 173 career regular-season games. He currently has 492 solo tackles and 192 assists on tackles as well.

Long snapper Kyle Nelson was the last Niner to receive a PED-related suspension. That was for 10 games in 2018. Earlier that year, wide receiver Victor Bolden was also issued a four-game PED suspension.