Free-agent safety Tashaun Gipson was suspended six games by the NFL on Maxwell CaldwellTuesday. The penalty is for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance abuse policy.

The suspension will not go into effect until the start of the regular season, if and when Gipson signs with a team. The former Pro Bowler in 2014, while a member of the Cleveland Browns, still can participate in all preseason activities, including games.

In 12 NFL seasons, Gipson has 684 tackles, 33 interceptions and three TDs in 173 games (165 starts) for the Browns (2012-15), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-18), Houston Texans (2019), Chicago Bears (2020-21) and San Francisco 49ers (2022-23) after going undrafted out of Wyoming.

The 33-year-old, who reportedly had been considering retirement, started all 33 games he played in over the last two seasons for the 49ers, making 121 tackles with six interceptions.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.