49ers presented with another opportunity to reunite with veteran starter from Super Bowl 58
The San Francisco 49ers elected not to re-sign Tashaun Gipson this offseason despite his role in helping them reach last season's Super Bowl. But the 49ers now have another opportunity to reunite with their forming starting safety after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars without playing a game. Gipson was suspended for the first […]
The San Francisco 49ers elected not to re-sign Tashaun Gipson this offseason despite his role in helping them reach last season's Super Bowl.
But the 49ers now have another opportunity to reunite with their forming starting safety after he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars without playing a game.
Gipson was suspended for the first six games of the season for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances..
He was never activated from the commissioner's permission list by the Jaguars and is now free to sign with any team.
At 34, Gipson will have limited appeal to most but is a potentially intriguing option for a 49ers team that has shaky depth at the position.
The 49ers appear to have unearthed a gem in fourth-round rookie Malik Mustapha, who has taken over from the injured Talanoa Hufanga, while second-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown has continued to prove himself as a playmaker even if there is some volatility to his performances.
Behind that duo, Hufanga is hoping to return from torn ligaments in his wrist and play with a cast, while the 49ers have shown no hesitation in playing core special teamer George Odum on defense when necessary. On the practice squad, the 49ers have a veteran familiar with similar defenses in Adrian Amos, and rookie Jaylen Mahoney has already been elevated twice.
But with former All-Pro Hufanga's status for the rest of the season uncertain, it would be wise for the 49ers to explore reuniting with Gipson, with the practice squad perhaps an option for San Francisco. Kicker Jake Moody's return from injury could lead to the Niners releasing Anders Carlson from the practice squad.
San Francisco will be thrilled with the production it has gotten from its two young starters at safety, but the 49ers could do a lot worse than bringing in a veteran with whom they are very familiar to shore up the position.
