What performance enhancing drugs was Tashaun Gipson suspended for?

Tashaun Gipson Sr. has been hit with a six-game suspension after violating the league’s rules on performance enhancing drugs, ESPN reports.

The 33-year-old was most recently signed with the San Francisco 49ers and he was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year. Gipson entered free agency after the conclusion of the season and has not yet signed a new deal with any NFL side.

He played 16 games in 2023 and posted 60 tackles, becoming a locker room leader within the 49ers’ defensive unit. However this six-game ban, combined with his advancing age, could make it difficult for Gipson to find a new team in the NFL.

What rules has Tashaun Gipson broken?

News of Gipson’s impending suspension was broken by ESPN’s Adam Schefter but the NFL insider has not confirmed any further details about the nature of the player’s transgression.

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A statement from the league simply confirmed: “Tashaun Gipson has been suspended by the Commissioner for the first six games of the 2024 season. He is eligible to sign and participate in all preseason activities, including games; his suspension will take effect as of the roster reduction to 53 players.”

While Schefter’s reference to performance enhancing substances suggests the use of drugs, it may simply be that Gipson failed to adhere to the NFL’s regulatory policy. This includes submitting to regular testing and keeping investigators aware of his whereabouts during the season, key to ensuring that the league’s players remain clean. It could also include the accidental ingestion of a controlled substance, even if the player was not aware that it was restricted.