Former 49ers defensive end Tashaun Gipson Sr. suspended six games for using performance-enhancing drugs

The NFL on Tuesday suspended free agent Tashaun Gipson Sr. for six games for violating its performance-enhancing substance policy, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

Gipson, 33, spent the past two seasons with the 49ers and became a starting free agent at guard for the start of the 2022 season.

The Wyoming native was a real force in his two seasons in the Bay Area, starting in 34 of the 49ers’ 35 regular-season games and all six of their playoff games.

In 2023, Gipson recorded one interception and one sack in 16 games.

Before coming to San Francisco, Gipson spent four years with the Browns, three with the Jaguars, one with the Texans and two with the Bears after becoming a free agent in 2012 and going undrafted.

In 2014, while playing for the Browns, Gibson became the only player in his career to play in the Pro Bowl.

Gipson is still eligible to sign with the team and participate in training camp and the preseason, though the six-game suspension will go into effect in Week 1.

He is not the only former 49ers player who will start the season without playing due to a performance-enhancing substance violation.

Jimmy Garoppolo was suspended for two games in February for violating league rules.

After signing a one-year contract with the Rams, Garoppolo claimed the positive test was the result of an error he made when he claimed a therapeutic purpose exemption for an unspecified substance.