Tashaun Gipson, a free agent defensive back who has played the past 12 NFL seasons, has been suspended by the league for the first six games of the 2024 campaign.
The NFL announced the ban Tuesday on Gipson, who started most of the past two years for the San Francisco 49ers, but did not reveal the reason for the punishment.
ESPN reported Gipson was banned for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Gipson is eligible to sign with any NFL club and take part in all pre-season activities, including games. His suspension would begin when team rosters are trimmed to 53 players.
Pre-season NFL training camps are set to open later this month.
Gipson, 33, signed with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and has played for the Browns, Jacksonville, Houston, Chicago and the 49ers.
He helped Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship game for the 2017 season and San Francisco reach the NFC Championship game for the 2022 campaign.
Gipson also started in last February’s Super Bowl, where the 49ers lost to Kansas City 25-22.
In 173 career NFL games, Gipson has made 684 tackles, 492 of them solo efforts, and made 2.5 quarterback sacks. He has forced one fumble, recovered three, broken up 68 passes and made 33 interceptions — at least one in his every NFL season — with 758 yards in returns and three touchdowns.
