49ers star breaks silence on drugs suspension: it was “total ignorance”

Isaac Alarcón, the Mexican offensive lineman with the San Francisco 49ers, has been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on banned substances. The 25-year-old, who joined the team via the International Player Pathway Program, shared a public statement on Instagram explaining the cause of the violation.

According to Alarcón, the positive test stemmed from a contaminated protein supplement he took during his training regimen. He said the product had been unknowingly added to his routine just a few times and emphasized that he had no idea it contained a prohibited substance.

“I humbly accept the mistake” – Alarcón issues statement

“These last five years have been the happiest of my life but also the most physically and mentally demanding,” wrote Alarcón. “Keeping myself in the best possible state through rigorous training has been one of my top priorities.

“As a result of this, I used a protein that I included in my routine a couple of times, with total ignorance that it contained a “prohibited substance” by the league, which was detected in the last test I recently had.

“I humbly accept this mistake and I fully understand the sanction that was granted to me, which i promise never to commit again, since I will pay more attention to the supplements that I will use in the future.

“I feel blessed to be able to play the sport I love professionally; so I will make the most of the opportunity to continue in the most athletic league in the world training with more passion and taking my game to the next level with the help of God, my family and the love of all of you.

So far, Alarcón has only appeared in preseason games and is still awaiting his regular-season debut.

Isaac Alarcón’s NFL journey

Alarcón began his NFL career in 2020 after being selected through the International Player Pathway Program, which places international athletes with NFL franchises. He initially signed with the Dallas Cowboys, where he spent four seasons, primarily as a practice squad player.

In 2024, he joined the 49ers and has remained with the team’s practice squad since. Though the suspension sidelines him from the regular season until after Week 6, he remains eligible to participate in offseason activities and preseason games, according to league rules.

The setback is significant, but Alarcón says he remains focused.

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