Former Browns safety suspended by the NFL

Tashaun Gipson, who played in Cleveland for four seasons, hit with a six-game ban for PEDs, according to ESPN.

Tashaun Gipson, who spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, has reportedly been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

That is according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Browns originally signed Gipson as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming in 2012 to join a secondary that included T.J. Ward, Buster Skrine, Joe Haden, and current special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone.

Gipson played four seasons at safety for Cleveland, picking up his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 2014 after intercepting a career-high six passes and leading the league in return yardage with 158.

Gipson left the Browns in free agency to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2015 season. He played three years with the Jaguars before moving on to the Houston Texans for the 2019 season, and then the Chicago Bears for two seasons (2020 and 2021).

He spent the past two seasons as a full-time starter for the San Francisco 49ers and started in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he finished with five tackles.

During his time with the Browns, Gipson appeared in 50 games, making 42 starts, and had 14 interceptions, two of which he returned for a touchdown, 240 tackles, and 23 pass breakups.

In his 12-year career, Gipson has played in 173 games, making 165 starts, and has 684 tackles, 33 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns.

Gipson, who turns 34 in August, is currently a free agent. The 49ers were reportedly interested in bringing him back for another season as they were shopping for veteran safeties in free agency. Still, the news of his suspension may curtail those desires.